The Central Issue In How We Treat Others

I did not deliberately plan this for after the election.

Tell me, do you have a favorite food? What about a favorite store? What about a favorite color? What about a favorite brand? Is it okay to have favorites?

Is it okay to show favoritism towards people?

James 2:1

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

That's pretty straightforward. What does it mean to show favoritism?

Partiality, prejudice, I'm/we're better than you. Giving preferential treatment.

Who is James talking to?

Believers. Christians.

James 2:2–4

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

What do these two people have in common?

They're both believers, and that means they're brothers.

In James's example, what is being judged?

Who's more valuable?

Is that right? Why or why not? What's happening?

Discrimination and judgmentalness. FirstNLR's slogan is simple, and we live it out: Every Soul Matters To God. A few years ago, after the third service, I saw a United States senator talking to Pastor Rod while I was cleaning the sanctuary. At the same time, Pamela, part of our Deaf Church, was walking towards them, wanting to introduce a Deaf guest to Pastor Rod. In a beautiful example of not showing favoritism, P. Rod didn't ignore them to talk to a powerful individual. Still, he spoke with them just as long as he talked to the senator. I gained a lot of respect for P. Rod that day. Don't you like people who treat you as equals, whether you're rich or poor, famous or not?

James 2:5

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Remember last week when we discussed God's concern for the widows and orphans? Remember what that says about the heart of God?

James 2:6–7

But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

What's happening to the people James is writing to?

They're being discriminated against and abused.

What are they doing?

The same thing.

James 2:8

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

Did you notice what James called it?

The royal law. Why?

It's part of the two greatest commandments. It's also in the Law God gave Moses in Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself?

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