James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
Friends, James Chap.2, deals with impartiality, and by extension, partiality. This is a rather important topic, for it’s the way the world operates, and many of us believers, fall into the enemy’s trap; judging others by their outward appearance, their economic standing, or some other unfair worldly standard. James gives the example of two people coming to your gathering; one well dressed, the other shabbily clothed. Now, if you give the nattily attired person a good seat at the front, but hide the poorly clad one where he won’t draw much attention, as many of us would, ‘Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts?’ (vs.2-4) For sure! We’re judging others on insignificant, insubstantial grounds; the quality of their clothing, the way they carry themselves etc, and that’s not right. Friends, it’s discrimination. And discrimination of any sort, on any grounds, is wrong. It’s been outlawed since ancient times. ‘Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall thou judge thy neighbour.’ (Lev.19:15) That’s the Lord speaking through Moses to the Israelites. Yet we still show an inordinate amount of partiality, and for foolish reasons too. James condemns it. ‘But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.’ (vs.9) Partiality is more than an error of judgement, it’s an act of sin. It shows inconsistency in our conduct, using inappropriate methodology, (smile) to arrive at biased opinions and decisions. James also points out that God makes a mockery of our partiality by spurning the comely, godless ones we choose, and choosing the unseemly, unlikely ones we spurn. ‘Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgement seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?’ (vs.5-7) Oh people, those are undeniable facts, yet we still tend to show excessive favour to the rich and famous, the godless, who abuse us and blaspheme Christ’s Holy Name, while we have little time for the downtrodden, who’re usually more godly than the society’s elite. That leads Bruh Paul to disdain the wisdom of this world, of imperfect men, and talk instead of ‘the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; which none of the princes of the world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ (1 Cor.2:6-8) Trust Bruh Paul to hit the nail on the head. Because Jesus had humble beginnings, and didn’t look nor dress the part of the Messiah, as they envisioned it, they snobbishly assumed He could not be their Saviour. But how wrong they were! It’s been often shown how God confounds us with His choices. Very few of those He chose to do great things met our criteria for greatness; wealth, education, good family etc. Almost all came from humble beginnings, lacking in education and the finer points of etiquette. But the Lord, in His hidden wisdom, lifted them all up, increased their stature, so that they’d work wonders and glorify His Name. Just like He caused His Son, Jesus to be born poor, but then become the Saviour of this sinful world, and rise to sit beside Him on His heavenly throne. Oh Friends, please, let’s try our very best to be impartial, to hold ‘the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.’ It’s not easy, especially in a world built on partiality. But we have an advantage over most; as believers, our indwelling Holy Spirit, always guides us securely in God’s will. Much LOVE!…knowing good…but not doing it…that’s sin…
Friends, James Chap.2, deals with impartiality, and by extension, partiality. This is a rather important topic, for it’s the way the world operates, and many of us believers, fall into the enemy’s trap; judging others by their outward appearance, their economic standing, or some other unfair worldly standard. James gives the example of two people coming to your gathering; one well dressed, the other shabbily clothed. Now, if you give the nattily attired person a good seat at the front, but hide the poorly clad one where he won’t draw much attention, as many of us would, ‘Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts?’ (vs.2-4) For sure! We’re judging others on insignificant, insubstantial grounds; the quality of their clothing, the way they carry themselves etc, and that’s not right. Friends, it’s discrimination. And discrimination of any sort, on any grounds, is wrong. It’s been outlawed since ancient times. ‘Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall thou judge thy neighbour.’ (Lev.19:15) That’s the Lord speaking through Moses to the Israelites. Yet we still show an inordinate amount of partiality, and for foolish reasons too. James condemns it. ‘But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.’ (vs.9) Partiality is more than an error of judgement, it’s an act of sin. It shows inconsistency in our conduct, using inappropriate methodology, (smile) to arrive at biased opinions and decisions. James also points out that God makes a mockery of our partiality by spurning the comely, godless ones we choose, and choosing the unseemly, unlikely ones we spurn. ‘Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgement seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?’ (vs.5-7) Oh people, those are undeniable facts, yet we still tend to show excessive favour to the rich and famous, the godless, who abuse us and blaspheme Christ’s Holy Name, while we have little time for the downtrodden, who’re usually more godly than the society’s elite. That leads Bruh Paul to disdain the wisdom of this world, of imperfect men, and talk instead of ‘the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory; which none of the princes of the world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.’ (1 Cor.2:6-8) Trust Bruh Paul to hit the nail on the head. Because Jesus had humble beginnings, and didn’t look nor dress the part of the Messiah, as they envisioned it, they snobbishly assumed He could not be their Saviour. But how wrong they were! It’s been often shown how God confounds us with His choices. Very few of those He chose to do great things met our criteria for greatness; wealth, education, good family etc. Almost all came from humble beginnings, lacking in education and the finer points of etiquette. But the Lord, in His hidden wisdom, lifted them all up, increased their stature, so that they’d work wonders and glorify His Name. Just like He caused His Son, Jesus to be born poor, but then become the Saviour of this sinful world, and rise to sit beside Him on His heavenly throne. Oh Friends, please, let’s try our very best to be impartial, to hold ‘the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.’ It’s not easy, especially in a world built on partiality. But we have an advantage over most; as believers, our indwelling Holy Spirit, always guides us securely in God’s will. Much LOVE!…knowing good…but not doing it…that’s sin…
SCRIP-BITS 