The Book Of James Pt. 21 Partiality & Prejudice In The Church

Avoid having the wrong respect of persons.

James 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 

James taught us about being on guard against the sin of partiality. The motivation for avoiding this sin is so that no believer brings reproach upon the blessed name of Jesus Christ. 

Two men enter the church and are treated differently. 

James 2:2  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 

The word "assembly" is the word translated "synagogue" in many places. It reminds us that the first responders to the preaching of the gospel in Acts 2, were Jewish people. 

The Christian Jews still attended their synagogue so that they could hear the scriptures (law and prophets) read. 

Yet, what James is using for an example of the sin of partiality, is equally applicable to Christian churches today.

Two very different men are set before us by James. James uses contrasts very effectively to teach God's truth to us. 

Jesus Christ, also taught the same way with the same intent: that we might see the contrasts and choose that which glorifies God. 

The first individual is a rich man who had expensive gold rings, and garments that are beautiful, full of brilliant colors. His jewelry and clothing were considered luxury items.

Next, is a poor man, who is a pauper and a beggar, of the lowest status. He wears vile raiment, meaning his clothes were soiled and dirty, torn and worn. 

One a man of status and wealth, enjoying life's luxuries and another man with nothing, wearing dirty rags and suffering hardship in his life.

The question becomes "How should the church of Jesus Christ respond to these men."

The awful sin of partiality and discrimination. 

James 2:3-4  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4)  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 

Here is where the sin of giving preferential treatment to some (the rich) while withholding it from others (the poor). 

Remember, James began this section speaking to "my brethren." He is speaking primarily to Jewish believers at Jerusalem, but also to all believers at any time and place. This is a sin that we all must guard against.

Some of the men showing partiality, functioned like doorkeepers admitting people into the synagogue, and directing them where to be seated.

These believers judged by the wealthy man's external appearance. They saw his expensive gold ring and were dazzled by his expensive clothing. 

Therefore, they seated the wealthy man in a "good place." It was a seat that was beautiful, comfortable and a place of honor. 

What about the poor man? He is commanded to stand where he is, apart from the center of activities in the synagogue. He is given the option to sit on the floor beneath the stool of the doorkeeper. 

He is isolated from the others, as if he were a leper. He is given the worst spot and is treated badly solely on the basis of his appearance.

James spells out their sin. They are partial in themselves and made themselves judges who have evil reasoning.

The word translated "partial" is a different word from the one translated "having respect." It is a very strong word that shows the heart of God toward this sin.

The word "partial" means to make a difference between people based upon appearance. To be "partial" against the poor man, means to separate him from those who are better off, because he does not have expensive rings, or nice clothing. 

It means they discriminated against the poor man, and withdrew from him because they were hostile toward him. Yet, James called them brothers in Christ. 

Let us see God's perspective on how the poor should be treated and perhaps, this will show us why the sin of partiality is such a grievous sin. 

There are many texts that speak to this issue, and you can find them by looking up the word "poor" in a concordance, and seeing each verse containing that word. 

Jehovah commanded landowners to provide for the poor. 

Leviticus 19:9-10  And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10)  And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God. (See also Leviticus 23:22)

God makes it very clear that those engaged in farming or agriculture, were to not clear out all the corners of their farmland when harvesting crops. 

They were not to pick every grape of the vine nor were they to beat fruit trees with sticks, to get every single olive, or fruit. 

Jehovah Elohim tells us why this command was given. This is how He provided for the poor people in the land. They could work by going in and harvesting grain left standing in the corners of a field, or by picking the grapes and fruits that were left by the farmer's workers. 

The poor were not to be discriminated against in legal matters. 

Leviticus 19:15  Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. 

Many times in Israel's history, they had wicked judges who perverted judgment by ruling in favor of the rich. God says judges must make righteous judgments free from partiality or prejudice.

The wealthy were to provide relief to the poor. 

Leviticus 25:35  And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. 

God's law specified that if a brother or neighbor became poor, the man's brother or neighbor was to help him. He was not to turn away the person in need. If necessary, he was to offer food and shelter for the poor man.

Jehovah will judge the cause of the poor and needy. 

Psalm 72:4  He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.  

Psalm 72:12-13  For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.  13)  He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

We all know about sweatshops, places where rich people move their production to the cheapest labor sources in the world. 

Why? Because they greatly increase their profits, but they make this money on the backs of the poor and oppressed people. They are forced to do this work by the government in many nations. 

Jehovah will hold all those who take advantage of poor people accountable. They will not get away with their sin.

Future blessing awaits the poor and oppressed. 

Matthew 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus taught that the poor will be blessed and enjoy happiness in the kingdom of heaven. God will rightly judge their cause and elevate them when Christ returns to rule and reign. 

Don't judge others because you will be judged by that same standard. 

Matthew 7:1-2  Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

Luke 6:37  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 

James remembered the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded His disciples not to judge, because judging with impure motives is a sin. He declared that those who committed the sin of partiality, would be judged for their sin. 

If we avoid judging others by showing partiality, then we also avoid being judged ourselves. If we do not condemn others by being partial, and discriminating against them, then we will not be condemned. 

This is a strong rebuke to any church that fails to treat all people equally, and seeks the welfare of each person, instead of those who dress better than the poor. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

This sin of partiality and discrimination is still common today. However, each pastor, lay leader and church member should strive to ensure that our church does not allow this sin. 

I pray that the Spirit of God will take these powerful truths from James and do a mighty work in Christ's church all around the world. 

May God be glorified in our response to His Word and may Christ be lifted high for all to see.

Let us close with the words of our Lord. Those who judged people by their appearance and showed partiality toward them, were wrong to do so. Jesus explicitly tells us not to judge others by their appearance. 

In this remarkable teaching, Jesus addresses how we should view skin color, clothing, or signs of wealth like expensive jewelry. We should never prejudge someone because of their race, their attire, or their status. 

God does not see us through the lens of race, color, clothing or status. Imagine the impact of this Divine truth being taught in our schools. Kids and adults would be reminded that all people share the same blood line, from Adam. 

Jesus' words tell us to see people as God does, as lost sheep who have gone astray and need to be brought to the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for our leaders and those in authority, to see the spiritual realities of Christ's words.  All people have life given to them from God. All people are sinners but all people can be saved. 

May our Pastors, lay leaders and parents ceaselessly preach, teach and live according to the gospel of Christ.

Bob

John 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.