Last 5 Days
Showing partiality, making distinctions, and passing judgment
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing 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 with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, 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? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Partiality is a commonly observed error in this world. I remember when I was young, I heard that in some sub-cultures and societies, showing partiality is a rampantly practice and accepted norm. This was exactly the warning that James, the champion of the poor, gave to the early believers in the New Testament.
Once in my previous church, a couple who were newcomers brought their young child to church. The wife had just become a Christian, but the husband had not. He was a loving husband and very willing to accompany his wife to church.
On the first Sunday, I saw him pushing a stroller with their young son in it, they were going into the church sanctuary. He was dressed in a simple singlet and wearing sandals. I was at the door to greet him, and not make him feel awkward or out of place, I gave him a friendly smile and strong handshake. He happily went into the church to sit in the pew with his wife. After some visits, we heard that someone had led him to Christ. And not long afterwards, I observed that on his own accord, he had changed his dressing. He began to wear a nice t-shirt and shoes to church.
In this passage, James tells us that God had chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God! Who is really rich? The poor in this world who have come to know God as their Heavenly Father. They have inherited the riches of God’s kingdom that is so much greater than what this world could give.
James clearly warns us that showing partiality (favouritism) to someone who appears to be rich and discriminating against someone who is poor or passing judgment on anyone is not Christian conduct. In fact, he calls it as it is – sin, because we have failed to obey the royal law of love – to love our neighbour as our self. How do we behave or treat our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ whether we are in the church or in any setting? This must come from our attitude and obedience toward God’s command, whether we sincerely desire to “love our neighbour as our self.” If we really desire to do so, then we are doing well (v.8) and have obeyed God’s royal law.
Dear God, help me see my fellow brothers and sisters as you see them, beloved and chosen by you to inherit your kingdom and heavenly riches. They are my precious family, and I must love them as you have loved them. Forgive me in times when I sin against you, and show partiality, discrimination or judge them unfairly. May the blood of Jesus purify me from all sin, including the sin of selfishness and double-standards. In Christ’s name. Amen!
