Partiality



James 2:1-9
1My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in,
3and 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,”
4have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, 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?
6But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?
7Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
9But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

There’s not much more a person can say about the topic of partiality than James says right here. He shows an example and he lays out the penalty. No one can read this passage and say, “I just don’t understand it.” We don’t get to treat one another differently over something stupid like money.

As always the text demands that we look into our own lives and hearts. Where do I show partiality in my everyday life? Am I guilty of showing partiality at church? Have I ever looked down my nose at someone else – for any reason? If your answer is “no” then check again! We all do it. Having read this passage from James, we are now responsible to examine that behavior, confess it, and ask the Father to help us change it. Today, I would encourage you to spend less time reading and more time meditating and letting the Spirit show you where your heart leans away from people who don’t deserve that treatment. It’s a tough day.

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