09/03/2012
"Playing Favorites"
James 2:1-17
James is headed to the ultimate point/proclaimation in James 2. This is the entire part of Christianity. Our actions speak of our faith. James is not timid, nor pc (politically correct) with this part of his letter.
What good is a mans faith if he does not act as if he has faith? What good is a believer if they do not act as if they believe?
Treat everyone equally without regard to background, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status. We are to see all like God sees us.
Nothing angers the Lord more than someone being taken advantage of. All discrimination has got to end. All have access to the Lord's salvation.
Jesus was an offender of the poor, children, widows, and society's outcast/forgotten.
If we have a spiritual identity with Christ, our actions should reflect Him.
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needfulto the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
