Book of James: Favortism Forbidden

<br><br />

James 2:1 NIV

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

Romans 2:11 NIV

For God does not show favoritism.

• Favoritism shapes how you SEE people.

FAVORITISM is placing a value on a person or a group of persons based on what WE SEE rather than on what GOD SAYS.

Favoritism is not about LIKES and DISLIKES but is about our thoughts, feelings and actions.

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Genesis 1:27 NIV

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

• Favoritism shapes how you TREAT people.

James 2:2 NIV

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.

James 2:3-4 NIV

If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Three ways our seeing shapes our treating:

1. CLASSISM
2. CULTURALISM.
3. RACISM. 

James 2:8 NIV

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Romans 13:10 NIV

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

I John 4:20 NIV

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

James 2:12-13

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.