The sin of favoritism does not accord with a life of faith. We live in a world where man discriminates against each other along many distinctional lines (e.g., race, gender, nationality, religion, etc…). Additionally, there are none in humanity who have lived this life and not experienced some form or measure of the negative effects of partiality. James warns that this should not be so in the kingdom of God. He delivers a stern warning to the church by addressing a prevailing snobbery that is in operation in the fellowship of the saints. He reads the charges against them: they offered preferential treatment to a rich man over a poor man who visited their congregation. He continues by challenging this attitude dwelling among them, “…have you not then made distinction among yourselves and become judges of evil thoughts?” (v4). In order that they may recover right outworking of their faith, he reminds them of who God is.
God chooses the poor in the world to be rich in faith. In other words, Jesus did not seek out the wealthy and powerful in the world, for because of these things it is difficult from them to enter the kingdom of God (e.g., Mt 19:16-30). Rather, he sought those who could acknowledge the futility of hope in possessions and their spiritual poverty. The “Beatitudes,” come to mind in Jesus Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:2). God does not evaluate equity based on man’s earthly wealth, health, and power which (all) are things void of true stability and fleeting (1 Jn 2:17). Rather, he places greater value on the confidence and assurance man places in God. We as his people are to imitate our Creator. We are to view people as he does. He shows no partiality. He puts a premium on those who seek him in faith (Heb 11:6).
Based on these truths of God, James rebukes the church for dishonoring the poor man who came into their assembly. They failed to reflect kingdom values, but instead that of the world. Further, he calls their attention to the lunacy of showing favoritism to a wealthy person who would not reciprocate such praise and affections towards them. Bewildered by their actions, James questions them, “…are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into courts? (7) Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? (v6-7). If James was alive today speaking to the church, he would use our modern vernacular and say, “Come on people! What are you doing?!“
James’ exhortation is simple in addressing the sin of partiality in church: Remember who God is, and who you belong to. Be rich in faith that pursues the glory of Christ, not that of man. If we holdfast to these kingdom truths, it will guard us against the infiltration of discrimination that enters the church like a Trojan Horse. Let us not become dwelling places (i.e., human heart) of evil thoughts, but let us see people the way God does. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com