Skip to main content

Do Not Show Favoritism


Genuine Faith

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. James 2:1 (NIV)  



In James chapter 2, James argues against favoritism and for the necessity of good deeds. He presents three principles of faith: (1) Commitment as an essential part of faith. You cannot be a Christ-Follower by affirming the right doctrines or agreeing with biblical facts. You must commit your mind and heart to Christ. (2) Right actions are the natural by-products of true faith. A genuine Christ-Follower will have a changed live. (3) Faith without good deeds doesn’t do anybody any good – it is useless. James’s teachings are consistent with Paul’s teaching that we receive salvation by faith alone. Paul emphasizes the purpose of faith – to bring salvation. James emphasizes the results of faith – a changed life.

James condemns acts of favoritism. Often we treat a well-dressed, impressive-looking person better than someone who looks shabby. We do this because we would rather identify with successful people than with apparent failures. The irony, as James reminds us, is that the supposed winners may have gained their impressive lifestyle at our expense. In addition, the rich find it difficult to identify with the Lord Jesus, who came as a humble servant.

Are you easily impressed by status, wealth, or fame? Are your partial to the “haves” while ignoring the “have nots”?

This attitude is sinful. God views all people as equals, and if he favors anyone it is the poor and the powerless. We should follow His example.

Why is it wrong to show favoritism?
  1. It is inconsistent with Christ’s teachings.
  2. It results from evil thoughts.
  3. It insults people made in God’s image.
  4. It is a by-product of selfish motives.
  5. It goes against the biblical definition of love.
  6. It shows a lack of mercy.
  7. It is hypocritical.
  8. It is sin.


If we say Christ is our Lord, then we must live as He requires, showing no favoritism and loving all people regardless of whether they are rich or poor.

Love God – Love People!



Read James 2:1-7


Blessings,
Cheryl

Related Posts:
Count it all Joy
Listening & Doing
Making Pray Work for You

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Good Friday

  Happy Good Friday   This is the day that we remember what Jesus did for us --- enduring beating, mocking, and being crucified.   I imagine his disciples did not consider it to be a “good” Friday at the time. But what makes it GOOD is what happened on Sunday --- when Jesus did the impossible and rose from the dead.    Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  ~ 1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV   One of the best ways of celebrating Jesus and His Resurrection…is through family traditions.    Family traditions can be as simple as attending  ️  church and having lunch or brunch together.    Jesus was a story-teller. I believe he knew the power of a story to capture hearts and bring joy while effectively delivering a specific message. He often used parables to tea...

Canva

Created 2 Create Twitter Cover Image Design Canva - One of My Favorite Design Programs and Apps With Canva , you don’t have to be a design pro, it makes designing easy. You can use your own photos or you can you upload images from sites like Unsplash or Pexels  and download them on your computer totally FREE. Canva also offers an app for you phone. Canva lets you Create designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook & social media covers, flyers, posters, invitations and many more.  The design options are endless, and the site is very user-friendly – you can modify one the their designs or create your own using one of the templates. Unsplash offers professional images that you can modify, edit and use as you desire. Again, totally free! Pexels ’ site is just like Upsplash , these are royalty-free photographs for you to use as you wish. These are some of the designs I created using Canva … Click on l...

Why God Wants to Bless You!

  Why God Wants to Bless You!   “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29, ESV). Do you know that God wants to bless you? He wants you to have abundance, lacking no good thing. But He doesn’t want that for you and me so we can merely enjoy our lives. He wants us to steward our resources so we can be better able to reach out to others and bless them in His name. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 (ESV),   “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”   The goal is fruitfulness. The goal is God’s Kingdom. The goal is for God’s blessing to flow through us so we might be a blessing to others, to the glory of His name!