Partiality

 

James 2:1-7

When reading the Scriptures it is always nice when you get a pass; you know, when you do not feel convicted by the Holy Spirit.  It sure would be great to share that James 2:1-7 missed me totally, but I’m guilty of the sin of showing partiality, and before you say shame on you, take a moment to read James 2:1-7.  I’ve often said in jest that only a person who wants to be beat up reads the book of James.  James has a way of cutting to the chase, and hitting me where I live.  So what about the sin of partiality, look at verse 1-4; “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man (who smells or has tattoos all over his body) in shabby clothing also comes in, 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,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

He’s talking assembly that is what many of us refer to as the building we call a church, totally wrong, but that’s a rabbit we will not chase today.  Let’s take a poll, how often are your deacons or elders picked by how well they have performed on the world stage, by their wealth or position in the community and not on how rich they are in faith.  But God has spoken; verse five, “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?”  All my life I was given two messages, and they conflict with each other, first, I was taught not to think I was better than anyone else, and second I was taught to look down on people who performed poorly, at work, in the community, at church, and in the home. 

The Bible tells me not to set myself up as the judge of anyone, for we all have a judge and He only has insight into the heart.  But I judge, we call it class, and it comes in two forms, high and low, but everyone falls in one of the two.  When I see someone with tattoos all over their body, I judge, and as one of my business associates would say that’s class, but it is very low.  What about the obese, yes I judge them, and God calls that sin.  I hope you are not partial.  I hope you never show unfair preference for one person over another, I have a problem and will you pray that I will see things from heavens view.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice