No Partiality “Real Life” [James] Series [10] James 2:1-4

SECULARIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN OUR DAY The perils of secularization of the Church  Today’s text [2:1-4] is an elaboration of James’ previous thoughts on “true and undefiled religion” [1:26-27]. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:26-27

SECULARIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN OUR DAY The perils of secularization of the Church  Today’s text [2:1-4] is an elaboration of James’ previous thoughts on “true and undefiled religion” [1:26-27]. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:26-27  James’ undercurrent concern for true godliness/religion is the danger of secularization of the Christian values.  When the Church becomes like the world, we lose our “light” and “saltiness”—but it sneaks in to us subtly!

SECULARIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN OUR DAY Secularization of the Church in our day  “Prosperity Gospel”: The danger of our definition of “blessing” becoming indistinguishable from the world.  “Numbers Game”: The danger of our success and identity becoming preoccupied with numbers and size.  “Self-help Spirituality”: The danger of our spirituality becoming more man-centered than God-centered.  “Consumerism”: The danger of our spiritual life and ministry becoming primarily about meeting needs and finding/providing right products/programs.

Don't ever attempt, my brothers, to combine snobbery with faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ! Suppose one man comes into your meeting well-dressed and with a gold ring on his finger, and another man, obviously poor, arrives in shabby clothes. If you pay special attention to the well-dressed man by saying, "Please sit here - it's an excellent seat", and say to the poor man, "You stand over there, please, or if you must sit, sit on the floor", doesn't that prove that you are making class-distinctions in your mind, and setting yourselves up to assess a man's quality? - a very bad thing. J. B. Phillips' Paraphrase of James 2:1-4

WHY SHOULD WE SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS BELIEVERS IN LORD JESUS? 1)We have the new Master—Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (v.1)  James intentionally addresses his audience as “my brothers”—which means that this is for the believers.  What do we believe? We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ— who is the Lord of glory—which means Lord Jesus has become our most valued treasure through our faith.  The true living faith submits to Jesus as the New Master/Standard by which we measure everything.

6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

WHY SHOULD WE SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS BELIEVERS IN LORD JESUS? 2)We have the new value system—which is radically different from the world. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and 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,". (vs.2-3)

WHY SHOULD WE SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS BELIEVERS IN LORD JESUS? 2)We have the new value system—which is radically different from the world.  When Jesus becomes the Lord in our faith and daily lives, we experience an inner transformation of our mindset. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

WHY SHOULD WE SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS BELIEVERS IN LORD JESUS? 2)We have the new value system—which is radically different from the world.  When Jesus becomes the Lord in our faith and daily lives, we experience an inner transformation of our mindset.  This inner transformation involves a change of our value system—i.e., we must be radically different in what we perceive as true value.  An example of the Early Church is the Christians’ reaction to the wealthy newcomer vs. the poor newcomer.  True godliness reacts with this New Value System—our radically transformed values because of our glorious Lord Jesus.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 [ESV]

WHY SHOULD WE SHOW NO PARTIALITY AS BELIEVERS IN LORD JESUS? 3)We have the new way of seeing people—which has no room for partiality. have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (v.4)  The opposite of “secular” is not “religious” but “spiritual”—i.e., what is Christlike inside out.  Showing partiality according to externals is a prideful secularized reaction to people which results in sin.  Therefore, we must see and treat everyone in Christ’s values—accepting everyone as Christ accepts all.

Looking at Everyone through the Eyes of Christ How do we practice the deity of Christ in our human relationships? It is really quite simple: look at everyone through the eyes of Christ. If the visitor is a Christian, we accept him because Christ lives in him. If he is not a Christians, we can accept him because Christ died for him. It is Christ who is the link between us and others, and He is a link of love. The basis for relationship with others is the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Any other basis is not going to work. Furthermore, God can use even the most unlikely person to bring glory to His name. He used Peter and Zacchaeus and John Mark, and He can use that poor man whom we might reject. - Warren Wiersbe

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Examine your relationship with Christ as THE MASTER AND STANDARD of your new value system.  Consider whether Jesus has become your most valued treasure.  Repent from serving any other Master. 2.Be radically transformed in HOW YOU SEE AND EVALUATE people.  Stop evaluating people in a worldly way.  Start seeing people as Jesus sees them. 3.Make NO ROOM FOR FAVORITISM because of a worldly point of view.  Never treat anyone from a worldly point of view.  Practice Christ’s values with the poor as well as the rich.