Crosspoint Baptist Church Blog

Text: James 2:5-13

Title: The Argument against Favoritism

Proposition: As believers, there are 2 important truths that we should consider when we think of favoritism: Our Identity and the Implication of Partial Obedience.

Read Text:

5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Transition:

1. We must consider our Identity: v. 5-7

EXEGESIS: As James begins to outline his argument against showing partiality, he uses 2 words to help his readers understand why they need to cease from showing partiality. His imperative, “Listen,” grabs the attention of the reader and it continues to show his style of writing. This imperative introduces the readers to the first theme of identity and that is God’s choice of them. It is the same word used in 1 Corinthians 1:27 and 28 as well as referencing back to James 1:18. Indeed, one of the greatest joys for the believer is that God Almighty has chosen them to know him and to receive the joy of faith and joy of heaven. The poor refers to those of low standing. It is a word James has used much already (1:9; 2:2,4). The picture goes much beyond social status and it speaks of a greater poverty and thus the necessity and need for God to exercise his sovereign will by allowing these spiritually bankrupt criminals to know him. James gives 2 evidences of God’s grace calling as being rich in faith (in Christ) and heirs of the kingdom. The word rich speaks of abundance and distinction. The wealth of faith is not faith itself but a faith rooted in Christ. To be heirs of the kingdom demonstrates the goodness and grace of God. The word “heir” speaks of possession and literally it tells the reader that they are the possessors of the Kingdom of God. In light of this marvelous truth, James says that their actions have dishonored, that is, they have slighted the poor. The poor in standing should remind them of what Christ has done for them but rather, they slighted the poor in favor of the rich. These wealthy people have made slaves of all and they had reduced the readers themselves to servitude. These very ones had slandered the distinct name of God yet these were the ones who had received the favoritism.

APPLICATION: James is teaching us that we cannot forget our identity with Christ. Like the Israelites of old, we are God’s chosen people.[1] He has called us by His name.[2] It is vital to remember that we were spiritually bankrupt and had it not been for the sovereign grace of God, we too would be hopeless and separated before God. Yet, the very reason we must not show partiality is because Christ has redeemed us, made us rich in faith and possessors of the kingdom. This glorious reality is found in the gospel, which is good news for all. Our identity is no longer in self but in Christ.

ILLUSTRATION: Re-entering the country

1. We must consider the implications of Partial Obedience vs. 8-13

EXEGESIS: James then uses the term law to remind them that they are no longer under the old law, which proved to show the need of grace and not the means to grace, but rather they are under the law of grace. This law is given the term royal and it means that which is of highest excellence. This ought to also be the character of those who follow it. James tells them if they are presently fulfilling it then they are doing well.[3] This law is usually summarized as the great command to love God completely, themselves correctly and others compassionately. Yet, to show partiality is to not do well and James says they are engaging in sin. The same law of excellence finds them guilty of violating the law. This guilty sentence breaks from the present tense and is cast in the perfect tense. The standard of this law is not partial obedience but full obedience. To abstain from one point but to live by the rest is not what it requires. Thus, they are to speak[4] and act as those who are free and have been shown mercy. Mercy always trumps judgment. Mercy, like love, is a hallmark of the royal law. Jesus taught that those who are merciful are blessed and they themselves shall receive mercy.

APPLICATION: The great law which we are under is that of grace. It compels us to total devotion because it recognizes God’s sovereign mercy towards us and thus the mercy we are to show others. To partially obey is to show an inaccurate picture of grace and devotion. It confuses and causes strife to all connected. The idea of partial obedience should disgust believers because they should desire above all else full devotion to their great God and Savior.

Conclusion: You see, we too are poor. The scripture teaches us that as sinners, we stand spiritually poor before God. This same sin that shows us to be sinners also shows us to be criminals who have broken God perfect law. Yet, God who is rich in mercy, sent Jesus Christ to die for us and to bear the judgment that should have been ours. You see, mercy has trumped judgement.