2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
An authentic relationship with Christ should not contain favoritism (Partiality). Favoritism, and defined by Webster’s Dictionary is as follows: “The practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.” It seems like a strange place forJames to start the chapter. But James is building to a bigger point.
First, let’s got to Ephesians 2:14-16.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
In this passage we see one of the reasons why Jesus came to mankind: it was to break down the barriers between people, and put them all into the same category. Under an umbrella of grace. These barriers needed to be broken because in Jesus’ time, as well as our own, there are many ways people categorize each other. Many of these ways are forms of dividing one another. Another word for it is factions(Galatians 5:19):
The acts of the flesh are obvious: Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
James is making the case that if we indulge in the act of dividing people via favoritism, we are acting against God. It is one of the acts of the flesh, as defined by Paul in Galatians. Favoritism acts against the very nature of God.
2 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. 3 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,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Here James gives us an example of favoritism. He uses some of the trapping of his culture. First, the word used for “meeting” is synonymous with synagogue. Remember, he’s speaking to the newly converted Jews. They would understand the hypocrisy which James is uncovering. If they are gathered to connect with God, yet are very easily showing favoritism, there is something askew with the heart.
In James’ time, the Jews were under Roman rule. The Romans measured their wealth in a variety of ways. One was the wearing rings. The more rings you had, the richer you were. There were even merchants that rented rings so people could feign influence. James’ contention is this: if favoritism is shown, it is an evil action that something is wrong inward. If we care more about outward appearance then our heart is conditionally compromised. This displays a deep-set selfishness in us. We are subversively asking “what can this person do for me?” They don’t understand what God sees. (1 John 2:3-4).
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? 6 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? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
The poor more readily respond to God (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Why? because they don’t have resources that act as a barrier to God. They are more dependent because they have so little. It is harder for the rich to see God. Following that logic the rich have something wrong with their heart. It is evidenced by how they exploit the poor. They drag them into court (1 Timothy 6:10). They blaspheme the name of God.
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
The royal law of Jesus Christ is found in Matthew 22:36-40. It expresses to us that we are to love God with all our being (heart, mind, soul). Emotionally, Intellectually, Spiritually. We are to love God and those around us. If we are living in that space, then how can we be judging others?
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Obeying God’s law is discussed in there verses. James lays it out simply: if you are in violation of one thing, you are in violation of it all. That sounds scary to someone who is legalistic. But if you are operating under grace, it casts a different light on it. Breaking God’s law is to violate God’s will. In other words, we are in rebellion to the will of God when we sin.
Remember, James is talking to recently converted Jews, so they would understand this concept. In our world, we must understand that sin is viewed differently by God. We tend to give sin a rank, or hierarchy. But God sees sin as a violation of his law. Since He is the judge, He has the right to apply wrath or mercy. It is only when we get involved that we begin to assess value. We judge.
But he says this in verse 12: Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. What is that? That is Mercy. If we understand the mercy part, then we will understand that our judgment of others is not correct. We should always show mercy without partiality (Matthew 7:2). Mercy defines our relationship with God.
Faith and Deeds 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
James begins one of the most important points of his book: can faith alone save someone? Can we proclaim faith without action? This is a big question. Many believe that faith can be attained through words and nothing more. (Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:8)
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James gives us an example. Our faith, if it is true, is always based in love. Love for God, love for others. If we proclaim faith, yet do nothing with it, then do we have it? If we fail at the most basic part (helping others), our faith must be called into question.
Real faith has two components: The spiritual (relationship with God) and the physical (care for others). We must care for others. Faith must be accompanied by works.
This is not works. A works-based faith is much different. It requires that you accomplish many things in this world and bring them to God. It is very much in the vein of offering a sacrifice. “See everything I did in your name?” It is the hope that our good will outweigh our bad enough to get into heaven. It is flawed at the very core, because it is about us trying to control our destiny.
Faith with works is what James is talking about. The foundational part of this approach is faith in Jesus. That’s the very first thing. Once authentic faith occurs, Jesus begins the journey to change your heart. When your heart is change, there becomes a desire to help others. Faith, instead of works, is the cornerstone. Faith with works is the natural result of our submission.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Living faith must contain works. It is the outward evidence of our changed heart. We can’t see someone’s faith, but we can see their deeds Faith is shown through our deeds (Matthew 5:14-16). Saying we believe in God, but having no action, is equivalent to the reverence demons have for God. They believe in God, yet are not aligned with God. James is saying there is little difference.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Abraham is the first of two examples James gives us. Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6). When he followed God’s direction to sacrifice Isaac, his obedience was evidenced in action. He was approved by his action. If he didn’t trust God, he couldn’t be obedient to Him. He was justified by works, not faith alone (2 Corinthians 5:17). If there is no evidence of a new life, then there isn’t genuine faith. Works must accompany faith. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Rahab helped the spies elude the authorities in the promised land. Her faith was shown as a living faith because it was active. Her works were present; faith was alive.
So in the final two examples of this book, we have two different paths to understand.
Abraham: If we believe, then we will do. Rahab: If we believe, then we will help.