James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) How to Treat People Like People

How to Be A Doer… 1.Look and listen intently…not casually. 2.Make intentional effort to remember and not forget what you see when you look into God’s Word. 3.Seek God’s highest blessings. 4.Walk what you talk…and make sure your talk matches what you say is your walk. 5.Actively engage in social needs around you. 6.Let your moral purity be your marker.

A principle…. James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. “ προσωπολημψία” – to receive by face

James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) James is not forbidding discernment of character or showing honor those to whom honor is due. He is forbidding making value judgments based on external appearances.

An illustration… James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,”

What motivates prejudice? James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) If there is one place in this world where class distinctions, color, political affiliation, nationality, education, financial status, fashion, physical or mental capabilities, or personal appearance are not the basis for acceptance it is in the place of worship.

Why prejudice is wrong… Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man.

Why prejudice is wrong.. 1.Prejudice is inconsistent with God’s Kingdom methods. Negative prejudice – assuming the worst based on appearances.

James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

Why prejudice is wrong.. 2. Prejudice ignores the universality of sin. Positive prejudice – assuming the best based on appearances

Why prejudice is wrong.. This is upside down thinking! They are lowering what God has elevated and elevating what God has lowered.

Treating people like people…. James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin “ ἁ μαρτία” and are convicted by the law as transgressors. “ παραβάτης”

sin “ ἁ μαρτία” - Missing the mark; falling short transgressors. “ παραβάτης” - willfully going outside the limits Sin can be -Not going far enough -Going too far

Treating people like people…. James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Why prejudice is wrong.. 3. Prejudice breaks scriptural commands. Period. There is no “spiritual net worth” formula

Wrapping it up… James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) So….. speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

Treating people like people…. James 2:1-13 (p 178, NT) 1.Prejudice is incompatible with faith in Jesus. 2.Let the Scriptures – not your heritage or your preferences – be your standard. 3.Let love be your law. 4.Let mercy be your lifestyle.