Journeying through James – Favoritism

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. ² 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. ³ 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,” ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? _{James 2:1‑4 (NIV)}

What is your sense of equality is based on? Some people say they’re not judgmental, and I think most people like to think of themselves as fair and impartial. I think James is saying that you should let God be the judge of that. In other words, everybody makes judgements, but not everybody makes them the way that God would. The best example to take is Jesus’ example. He didn’t come to judge anybody, but lived a life of love. He patiently preached the Gospel in the hope that everyone who heard would be saved.

If you know Jesus, you know that none of us measure up to Him. That is meant to free us to accept one another as sinners who need God’s love and forgiveness in Christ. If you value people, even yourself, by race, wealth, social standing, or educational level, you are judging by what the world values, not by what God values. On the inside, God looks at the heart and wants to transform the eyes of our hearts to see others as Jesus does.