The Sin of Partiality
Today Debbie and I traveled to Sidney Nebraska. My high school classmate and college roommate Bob Long is a retired educator and is the “Lay Leader” of First United Methodist Church. He had shared my story in the past and I was invited to personally share some of my story and a message. It was great to be there and reunite with some long time friends and to be graciously received.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” James 2:8-9 ESV
James addresses a specific issue that was occurring or had occurred in the early Church. When those who were “rich and impressive” came into their midst they were given preferential treatment compared to the poor. This was reflected in giving special honor or recognition.
“…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”….” (James 2:3 ESV)
So, this was treating the rich with special honor, while putting down the poor. James points out that these they were treating as special were the very same ones who were oppressing them.
“Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?” (James 2:6-7 ESV)
What we can observe is that in God’s eyes all humanity is to be honored and respected. God is not impressed by outward appearances, He is focused on actions and faith. These the Church was honoring, were actually by their actions “enemies” of the faith.
We observe that God’s values are not the same as human values. “…has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man.” (James 2:5-6 ESV)
James points out that some believers were dishonoring those that Lord said were worthy of true honor because they did not trust in their position, status or wealth, but in the Lord.
Then James is very direct about the ramifications of showing partiality by putting down the poor. He calls it….sin. Not only that, he refers to it as transgressing the entire law. It was a violation of the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Then were are to remember the importance of treating others as God has treated us. “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13 ESV) As we have received mercy from the Lord, so we are to show mercy to others.
James challenges us to a new standard, a higher standard in our view of others and how we treat them. We are quick to judge and slow to show mercy. The Lord is full of mercy and slow to anger. We are impressed by that which is outward, the Lord is impressed by that which is inward. We determine wealth by bank accounts, the Lord determines “true riches” based on the heart.
Prayer for today…. Lord help us to see as You see, to value others as You value them. Give us discernment and understanding that we may show mercy as we have been shown mercy.