Focal Passage: James 2:1-13
There’s a great deal of attention being given to equality these days. How the world speaks of equity is neither correct nor accurate. Worldly equity only leads to further division because it divides people by outward appearances and false identities rather than by the content of their character.
God is an impartial God in that He does not favor one ethnicity over another due to skin color, personal identity, or social status. God judges us and relates to us in and through the person of Jesus Christ. We are to mimic God in being impartial in our relationships.
No partiality, vv. 1-4. Apparently, pastor James was noticing the sin of partiality in his congregation. Some were favoring “a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing” (v. 2). In the meantime, they were also ignoring “a poor man in shabby clothing” (v. 3).
James notes that when we favor one person over another solely based on appearance, we have made ourselves out to be both judge and jury. Who knows, the poor man may be righteous, and the rich man may be a criminal. Outward appearance is a poor substitute for a real relationship.
An impartial God, vv. 5-7. Our sense of impartiality comes from God. God does not choose the wealthy as an indicator of His favor, but rather the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). In fact, God does not choose the poor because they are poor, but because they love God (James 2:5). The rich were using their wealth to falsely elevate themselves and to oppress the poor. We are to avoid both sins.
A wealthy person can be a scoundrel, or she can be godly and righteous. A poor man can be a scoundrel, or he can be godly and righteous. What matters is not the measure of one’s wealth but the measure of a heart for God that is humble before both God and man.
The law of love, vv. 8-9. The root that produces the fruit of impartiality is love. In fact, James calls it the “royal law” (v. 8). James quotes Matthew 22:34-40 that also references Leviticus 19:18. If all the laws of God are fulfilled in the two laws of loving God and loving our neighbor, then when we show impartiality, we are fulfilling God’s law.
On the contrary, if we choose to live lives that show favoritism, we are being selective in how we keep God’s law. Godly, Christ-like, Spirit-empowered love not only covers a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8), but it calls us to love all people apart from their social status.
Non-selective laws, James 2:10-13. Where does the sin of partiality come from? It is a biblical and theological problem. James argues that the person who commits the sin of partiality and favoritism is the same person who picks and chooses the parts of God’s law he will or will not obey. This is an amazing demonstration of hubris and pride.
Rather than being selective as to what precepts we will or will not obey, we are to make every effort to obey all of God’s law. Thus, the sin of partiality is rooted in how we deal with God’s Word. The result is devastating. If we show partiality toward others and toward God’s law, we will be judged without mercy.
If we’re having difficulty treating people fairly and without prejudice, we can trace this problem back to our attitude toward God and His laws. The God who judges all people justly and rightly in the person of Jesus Christ will severely judge those who have shown no mercy, but only partiality. God will reward those who love without prejudice. B&R