Favoritism in the Church

James 2:1-13

I.  James gives us a PROHIBITION.  “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

1) Favoritism is contradictory to the Christian faith.  

2) Favoritism is contradictory to Christ.

II. James gives us an ILLUSTRATION.                        

1) They were partial on the basis of the superficial.

2) They were partial on the basis of the material.

III. James makes the APPLICATION.

(1) Face the contradiction. “Listen my beloved brethren has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?”

(2) We need to face the transgression. “but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” 

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

(3) We need to face the examination. “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.”

“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.”

Come just as you are!