Please turn with me to James 2 - staring at verse 1.  Today we’re moving into a different section of James’ letter.  In chapter one James focused on trials - the struggles and difficulties we go through in life.  The choice we have - in those trials - to seek God - to become more of who God has created us to be.

Coming to chapter two - this next section of the Book of James - James is going to focus on what faith looks like in action.  He’s going to give us a series of teachings - with illustrations - for us to use - to test ourselves - to put our faith on trial - teachings and illustrations to compare our lives to.  What do our actions tell us about our faith?  Is our faith kind of a shallow faith of convenience and culture?  Is it a deep faith - coming from the core of who we are?  Or maybe someplace in between? 

Charles H. Spurgeon - Baptist pastor of London, England - had a pastor friend, Dr. Newman Hall, who wrote a book entitled Come To Jesus.  How’s that for a deep - faith inspiring - title?  Another pastor published an article in which he ridiculed Hall.  Hall handled the ridicule patiently at first.  But, when the article ridiculing him gained popularity - Hall sat down and wrote a letter of protest.  His letter was full of retaliatory invectives - caustic - stinging stuff - that outdid anything in the article that attacked him.  Before mailing the letter, Hall took it to Spurgeon for his opinion.

Spurgeon read it carefully then, handed it back, said it was excellent and that the writer of the article - ridiculing Hall - deserved everything that Hall had written.  “But,” Spurgeon added, “it just lacks one thing.”  After a pause Spurgeon continued.  “Underneath your signature you ought to write the words, ‘Author of Come To Jesus.’”

The two godly men looked at each other for a few moments.  Then Hall tore up his letter. (1)

Intellectually we can understand so much about God.  But, its living out our faith in the practical stuff of life that really shows us where our heart is - if we’re really trusting God.  Right?  That’s where James is coming from here.  Practical teaching - with examples - to show us the reality of our faith in God.

James 2 - verse 1:  My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

This is James’ teaching point - what he’s focusing on in these verses.

“Personal favoritism” - prejudice - judging people by the externals - being partial to someone because of the color of their skin - the length of their hair - how many piercings or tattoos they have.

God sends the prophet Samuel to the house of Jesse.  God is going to choose a successor to King Saul.  Samuel goes down the line of the sons of Jesse - from the oldest on down.  Eliab - the eldest - is brought out.  He’s an impressive handsome young man.  Samuel thought, “Surely this is the one God has chosen.”  This guy just looks like a king.

But God says to Samuel, “Nope.  Not him.   Don’t judge him based on his appearance.  I’ve rejected him.”  God gives Samuel and explanation.  “God doesn't’ see a man as man does.  Man looks at the outward appearance.  But God looks at the heart.”  Remember this?

God sends Samuel down the line of the sons until the only one left is David - the youngest - who’s out watching the sheep.  God says, “This is the one.”  (1 Samuel 16)

You can’t judge a book by its - what?  cover.

That’s James’ point:  If we’re living tight with God - if our faith comes from deep in our hearts - the core of who we are - then we’re not going to treat people based on what we see - we’re going to treat them according to what God sees.

Verse 2 - verse 2 is James’ illustration of his point.  Verse 2:  For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place.” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

What James is drawing on for an illustration probably was happening. Sunday after Sunday as these Jewish Christians were gathering for worship.  

A man comes in - well dressed - probably wealthy - and he gets ushered to a good place to sit.  Someplace in the back.  That’s where all the good seats are.  Right?  Those are the seats that fill up first.  They get to sit in the shade on those non squeaky comfy white seats.  A guy wanders in - dressed not so nice - probably not so well off - and he gets what’s left over - a hot metal brown chair - up front - in the sun.  Distinctions are made - favoritism - based on externals.

James writes, - when we make these distinctions - its because - verse 4 - “we judge with evil motives.”

Back in 1989 - before the fall of the Soviet Union - I was in Yerevan.  Yerevan is the capital of what country?  Armenia.  I was leading a tour group of High School and College age youth.  We’d gone to try to help after the 1988 earthquake and to see Armenia.

One night - the people that had been appointed to take us around - took us to a restaurant outside of Yerevan.  In the Communist days there were restaurants that were reserved only for “special” people - those favored by the party - or people the party was trying to impress.  We were taken to one of these restaurants.  Not that we were really special people but our presence there was being used to impress people.  So, in that sense we were special.

That night around the table there were writers - Ph.d’s of this and that -  political people - “special people.”  And in typical fashion - there was a lot of alcohol - cognac - vodka - beer - wine - if it was alcohol and you could drink it - it was there.  And also there was some food - if you were into that sort of thing.  There was a lot of toasting and speech making.  Every time someone got up to say something they had to make a toast and everyone had to drink more alcohol.  Each time someone got up to make a speech they tried to outdo the last guy’s speech.  On and on - each one talking more eloquently about the virtues of the next guy - empty - worthless - compliments and praise.

Being sober and not totally understanding all of what I was hearing was a real blessing.  The whole night was a study in sincere insincerity.  People treating others nicely because of what they could gain from them - evil motives.

That’s crucial for us to get a grip on.  An evil motive is when we judge others - show partiality - treat people according to what we hope to gain for ourselves.

Scripture makes a distinction between judging with proper motives and judging with evil motives.  Judging with evil motives focuses on us at the expense of others.  Judging with proper motives focuses on the benefit to the other person - understanding the needs of others - where are sibling in Jesus may be sinning - what concerns them.  So that with prayer and humility and patience and love we can come alongside our sibling and offer correction and healing and to meet their real needs.  We need to exercise that kind of judgment and partiality.

What James is writing about is the opposite of that - when we judge others in order to elevate ourselves - for our own selfish reasons.  Partiality for what we gain.  Are we together on that?

Going on to verse 5 - James is going to give us three reasons why we need to make sure that we’re not judging others - giving preference to others - with selfish motives.

Verse 5:  Listen, my beloved brethren:  did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?    

Reason number one:  God’s Choice.  Say that with me, “God’s choice.”   “Did not God choose the poor?”

God doesn’t hold a congregational meeting and ask for a vote on who He should save.  Its God’s choice.

God has chosen to save the poor right along with the rich.  Not everyone here is wealthy with the stuff of the world.  Some here are struggling to make ends meet.  But, they’re still an integral part of this congregation.

God has chosen to bless the poor.  Not just tolerate them or put up with them.  To keep them around so he can help ‘em out on occasion.  But to lavish His love on them.   To those who love Him, He makes them to be fellow heirs of the riches of heaven - of the Kingdom of God.  Regardless of our financial bottom line - spiritually - bottom line - we’re siblings in Jesus.

Expanding this;  James is using the distinctions of poor and rich to illustrate his point.  But the point he’s making goes way beyond poor and rich. 

God has chosen the people with different colored skin - speak different languages - who don’t dress like we do - who have shorter hair than we do - who may be in a different place socially - mentally - emotionally - spiritually - than we are.  They may have piercings and tattoos.  These are people that God loves.  Chosen them to be our siblings in Jesus.  Chosen - like us - on the basis of God’s love, grace, and mercy.

If God has chosen these people how can we exclude them?  Not invite them into our homes?  Call on them to serve with us in ministry?  Make sure that their invited - and bring them - to what God is doing here?  To know their needs and go out of our way to meet those needs?

James’ second reason comes in verse 6:  But you have dishonored the poor man.  Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?  Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?    

Reason number two:  The Poor Are Dishonored.  Say that with me, “The poor are dishonored.”

James is writing to Jewish Christians spread throughout the Roman Empire.  Jews who were tied ethnically to the homeland - the old country.  But, many of them had never been there.  They’ve been born someplace else.  For many - Hebrew was a second language - maybe even a third language - after Greek and Latin.  Culturally they were Jewish.  But they lived in a Gentile world.

To the Jews of Jerusalem - the Diasporan Jews were always second class - always looked down on.  Never really fully Jewish.  To the Gentiles that surrounded them they were less than second class.  Those who were Christian Jews were below the lowest class - despised by both the Jews and the Gentiles - oppressed - exploited.  Both by wealthy Gentiles and wealthy Jews.

These Christian Jews were living in poverty - destitute.  Economically they were in serious trouble.  Their businesses were boycotted.  They’d lost their jobs.   They’re being dragged into court and cleaned out.

James writes, your oppressors - the rich - they don’t give a rip about God.  They’re against God.  They have no respect for you or what you believe.  They’re against the people God’s chosen to love.

So James asks, why are you giving preferential treatment to the people who are exploiting you?  Its like insisting on buying gas at $5 a gallon.  “I know I’m getting ripped off at $2.95.  But, I’ll pay more because you’re such a wonderful gas company.  I’ll pay $10 a gallon ‘cause you’re giving me 1%  back on my gas card.”

We don’t often think in these extreme terms.  But when we show partiality - when we dishonor our siblings in Jesus - we’re allied with their oppressors.  Our siblings are the people we should be serving - not helping them to get dragged into court and exploited. 

When we care more about ourselves than our siblings we participate in blaspheming the name of Jesus.  Jesus is not glorified when we care so much about ourselves that we help those who are exploiting our Christian siblings.

Verse 8 - James’ third reason for why we need to make sure we’re not showing partiality with selfish  motives.

Third reason - God’s Command.  Say that with me, “God’s command.”

Verse 8:  If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 

The Greek word for “royal” is “basilikos.”  It has the idea of something belonging to a king.  The royal law governs - like a king - governs over all the other laws.

Jesus quoted this same command when He summarized all of God’s laws about how we’re to live in relationship with each other.  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”   Keep this law and we’re doing what we should be doing. 

Verse 9:  But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors - we’re guilty of breaking God’s royal law.

Verse 10:  For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.  One strike and you’re out.

Verse 11:  For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.”  Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder you have become a transgressor of the law.

That offends our pride.  “Maybe I’ve got a few rough edges here.  But, I’m not a murderer.  I’m not an adulterer.”  But, when we show partiality for selfish reasons - evil motives - in God’s eyes we’re as guilty as if we were.

That’s intense.  And that’s James’ point.  In God’s eyes this is serious stuff.  Show partiality and we’ve broken God’s command.

I read this poem in a sermon by David Roper that I wanted to share with you.

Paul’s girl is rich and haughty;
My girl is poor as clay.
Paul’s girl is young and pretty;
My girl looks like a bale of hay.
Paul’s girl is smart and clever;
My girl is dumb, but good.
But would I trade my girl for Paul’s?
You bet your life I would! (2)

Everything we do in our relationships with each other should be governed by God’s commandment of love.  God doesn’t give us a qualifier based on external beauty.  Whether someone looks like a bale of hay or not.  We’re commanded to love.

Three reasons to examine our motives - self-focused or others focused.  Say these with me, “God’s Choice.  The Poor Are Dishonored.  And, God’s Command.”

James comes to his summary in verse 12:  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 

The law of liberty is freedom.  Remember this from last Sunday?  Its not the freedom to do what we want - follow our own selfish motives.  But, the freedom to choose to do what we should - to live God’s way.  That’s the standard we’re judged by.  Are we living God’s way.

Verse 13:  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Do you remember the parable Jesus told about the unforgiving slave?  Jesus is teaching about relationships.  While He’s teaching, Peter asks a question.  “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?  Up to seven times?”  Jesus tells him - what?  “Not just seven times but up to seventy times seven.”

Jesus’ answer is off the chart.  490 times.  Its a joke.  Sarcasm.  “Gee Peter, you’re really a forgiving type of guy.”  There might be some who would keep track, “489...490… BAM.”  But its not the number of times we’re suppose to forgive that’s important.  Otherwise we’d all be bean counters.  Jesus is saying, “If that’s your attitude, Peter, why forgive your brother at all?” 

Jesus goes on to tell this parable to illustrate His point.  The one slave who owed the king 10,000 talents - perhaps billions in today’s money - an insurmountable debt.  The slave begs for patience - so he can pay the debt.  The king has compassion and forgives the debt.

The forgiven slave goes out - finds a fellow slave who owes him 100 denari - not a huge sum of money - demands payment.  When slave number two can’t pay slave number one - slave number one does what to slave number two?  Has him tossed into prison.

All that’s an answer to Peter’s question - what’s coming out of Peter’s heart.  Its not the money.  Its the attitude of his heart.  If slave number one really understood how greatly he’d been forgiven he would have forgiven slave number two.  (Matthew 18:21-35)

Same principle here.  If we really understand the magnitude - the depth - the breadth - the scope of God’s choosing us - accepting us - then there’s no way we will act with selfish partiality towards others.

John writes, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved - who?  us - poor as clay - looks like bale of hay - and sent His Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.”  (1 John 4:10)  That’s God’s love. 

John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  The one who does not love does not know God.”  (1 John 4:7)

If we really are in touch with the God who is love - then our motivation in our relationships towards others should change.  God becomes the source of love within us.

Three brief thoughts of application.

First:  It would be so easy for us to blow past all of this and be thinking, “Well, this really doesn’t relate to me.  I don’t treat people that way.”

Not too many years back our youth group was divided by couches.  The ugly brown ‘70’s couch was where all the lower classmen and intellectual types sat.  The blue ‘90’s couch was where the “in crowd” seniors sat.  The yellow patterned ‘80’s couch was where all the people who didn’t fit on the other two couches sat.  Praise God things aren’t that divided today.  There are more couches that keep getting rearranged.

I’m not trying to pick on the youth.  We all need to be honest.  We do struggle with this - individually and as a congregation.  As incredible as this congregation is - at welcoming people - at helping others - being a place of healing.  As hard as we work at being inclusive there are couches.  There are some who are more in than others.  Some who are less in.  We do make choices about people based on our perceived needs - socially - emotionally - spiritually.  Its very subtle.  We may not even be aware of it.  We need to listen to James’ warning and to very careful to examine our actions and to think about our motivations.

Second thought:  Jesus commanded His disciples to “Love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples.  If you have love for one another..” (John 13:34,35)

We sing this song, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our - what?  love.” 

If we want to reach our community with the gospel we need to make sure that we are living the Gospel in our relationships here in the congregation.

Third thought:  What this all boils down to is trust - showing us the dept of our faith in God.  Who do we trust to take care of us in life?  Ourselves - and our manipulations - our speech - and abilities - our flattery and partiality?  Or God who sincerely loves us.  If we learn to trust God - then we can learn to sincerely love others.

Imagine our relationships with each other - husbands and wives - here in the church - at work - with people we don’t even know - homeless and in great need - if the basis of our relationships was not what we get - but what we give.  Sincere love motivated to uphold the real value of a person - motivated by trust in God - without any expectation - or need - of personal gain.

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1.  Leslie B. Flynn, You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
2.  David Roper, James 2:1-13:  “The Case of the Near-Sighted Usher”

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission.