READ PRAYERFULLY
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. JAMES 2:1-13 NLT
EXTRACT THE MAIN IDEA
Favoritism is sin
But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. JAMES 2:9 NLT
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things… There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil… But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good. For God does not show favoritism. ROMANS 2:1, 9-11 NLT
We all miss the mark
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ROMANS 3:23 NLT
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. JAMES 2:10 NLT
APPLY IT TO MY LIFE
Put to death hatred and prejudice
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. JAMES 2:13 NLT
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. COLOSSIANS 3:5 NLT
Receive and give God’s mercy
So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free…if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. JAMES 2:12-13 NLT
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? ROMANS 2:4 NLT
Give as freely as you have received! MATTHEW 10:8 NLT
LET IT OUT
Choose one person in your life to whom you can show God’s mercy
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? JAMES 2:14 NLT