The world view is that some sins are really not so bad while others are. James says not so fast. Sin is sin.
God is their only source and their strength. When we honour the rich over the poor based solely on their wealth or there external appearance, we disregard the teaching of the Word.
While it is true that some sins have different earthly consequences compared to other sins, when we have sinned, no matter how big or small we think it is, it is the same as breaking the whole law in God’s eyes. When we disobey Him we separate ourselves from Him.
Don’t Dishonour God How do we dishonour God if we disregard His word? Can you give an example of when it is possible to dishonour God by honouring those who dishonour Him?
Don’t think that if you are playing favourites with people, judging them by their external appearance, and that is affecting how you treat them, that you are not really as bad as other people.
But you have dishonoured 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? (James 2:6-7) 6
We are in our natural state sinners, and it is because of our sin, that Christ needed to go to the Cross and make atonement so that we could receive mercy, grace and forgiveness. James goes on to remind us that we need to live in light of this grace, mercy and forgiveness we have received.
In this example, the rich, whom the Christians were playing favourites with, were not only dragging them into court, but they were slandering the name of Christ.
If we are not supposed to judge people based upon external appearances, is it ok to make judgments not based on external appearances?
When we base who we are favouring or we are making judgments in favour of someone based solely on their wealth or external appearance, without consideration of their lifestyle and their view of the Lord, we dishonour God.
Casting Judgment or Extending Mercy? 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. (James 2:12-13) 12
Time for an Objection? You might say, “yes, they are slandering the Lord, but that just shows that they need Him, so we need to spend time with them and favour them so we can share the Lord with them, just like we needed.” James addresses this thought in the next verse: 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. (James 2:8)
Is it acceptable for “the Church” to judge someone? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
If this is your true motive and you are not playing favourites based on evil thoughts or selfishness, then you do right. But we really need to check our motives and our heart in circumstances like this because we can deceive ourselves.
God will judge those outside the church, but when Christians conduct themselves in ways that are damaging to Christ by some open and public sin from which they refuse to repent, the church is supposed to judge that and remove them from the church.
The Lord tells us through Jeremiah that “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Don’t judge based on appearance Jesus says in Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Back to Reality! After James tells them that if that is really their motive, that is good, but them brings them back to reality if they are really showing favouritism.
We don’t need to be casting judgment on people. We can trust the Lord to do. Instead, we need to be extending mercy, just as the Lord did to us, even when we didn’t deserve it, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 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. (James 2:9-11). 9
Keep in mind that as a believer in Jesus Christ, judgment for your sin has already been paid for by Jesus Christ, and now we are not facing the judgment that we so rightly deserve, but we are receiving God’s mercy and grace.
James is addressing some people who were thinking, “well even if I do show favouritism, it’s not like I killed someone or really sinned.”
In light of that mercy and grace we have received, how should we extend mercy to others? 3