In the societies of men, value is attributed to what one has and accomplishes. Typically, those who acquire wealth and power are considered of greater worth than others. Such biases are not limited to the socio-economic, but it has also wreaked havoc in the fields of ethnic and gender (i.e., male and female) groups. Further, in our sinful nature we desire to obtain greater significance that we perceive others have. We can often hope by mere association and proximity to such people, their favor would shine upon us and lift us out of what we consider a dishonorable station in life. Such pursuit of human greatness is the root of much evil in the world. James is deeply concerned about this value system operating in the church. We serve a God who shows no partiality among men. A person’s rank, possessions and human accomplishments offers no salvation (nor merit) in the day of judgment. Further, all we acquire in this life, we shall leave behind for others (Ecc 5:15).
With these truths in mind, James reminds the church of the sin of partiality as it does not accord with a life of faith. He warns against the evil of favoritism. He uses a example of visitation of rich and poor man to a church. He describes the differences in how they are treated to re-emphasize his point, “…if a man wearing gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in, (3) and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ (4) have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges of evil thoughts?” (v2-4). He describes a classic case of people placing more value on someone’s outward appearance and provision. We forget that even God does not evaluate people in this way (1 Sam 16:7). We are warned against being biased in our judgements of people. We are shown a picture of prevailing snobbery among the gathering of the saints.
According to James, this should not be, as it is evil and sin. Instead, we a called to look upon the glory of Christ and accept people on the basis of our faith in him! God our Father receives all (without distinction) who call upon him for salvation (Rom 10:12-13). There is no greater identity or standing than to be numbered as a child of God and citizen of his kingdom! If we are in Christ, we are royalty! We do not need to put others down to lift ourselves up. We do not need to strive to acquire what we have already been granted in Jesus! The Christian is to have the heart of God in how we love his image bearers regardless of their successes or station in life. Blessed are those who hear, love, and live out this truth.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com