James 2:1-13 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is James 2:1-13. Let’s go!
James 2:1 (NIV)
1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
On verses 1-4: James rebukes his readers for showing favoritism to rich people when they would walk into church while treating the poorer attendees poorly. How about you? Do you show favoritism? Do you treat people whom you meet well or poorly based on how rich, beautiful or well-connected they appear to be, or based on what we think they can do for us?
Many of us today have the tendency to “size people up” when we first meet them, to favour certain people over others based on external, superficial differences we see. Yet the Bible calls showing favoritism sin. Why? It’s because showing favoritism falls short of the way God loves us. God does not show favoritism (see Romans 2:11). Jesus did not die only for those in the highest tax bracket, or only for those whom he thought could advance His cause. Jesus died for everyone. Likewise, God calls us to love people regardless of how they “size up” in our eyes.
James 2:5-6 (NIV)
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
On verses 5-7: In verses 1-4 James points out the sinfulness of showing favoritism. In verses 5-7 he points out the silliness of showing favoritism. The silliness of showing favoritism is summarized well by Pastor Jon Courson. He writes that often times “the people we try to impress the most are those who care about us the least—while the people who really would be open to receiving from us are those for whom we think we don’t have time.” (Courson, Jon. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary – Jon Courson’s Application Commentary New Testament. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.)
James 2:8 (NIV)
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
On verses 8-9: James calls the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” “the royal law found in Scripture”. Why is it the “royal law”? First, it’s royal because the One who laid the law down is the King of kings. Second, it’s royal because this is how God expects you and me, His royal children, to behave. Third, it’s royal because to love your neighbor as yourself sums up so many of the other commands found in Scripture (see Matthew 22:37-38). When we show favoritism in our dealings with people, we’re not just being superficial or selfish. We’re sinning against God and breaking His royal law.
James 2:10-11 (NIV)
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking 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 commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
On verses 10-11: We can’t pick and choose which of God’s commands we will believe and obey, and which ones we won’t. God’s commands are all interconnected and come together as one whole, one package, such that if I break one part of it, I break the entire thing. That’s why, from a legal standpoint, the person who sins 1,000 times and the person who sins once are in the same boat: both of them have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.
James 2:12-13 (NIV)
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
On verses 12-13: Since all of us have sinned and broken God’s law, who are we to mercilessly judge and condemn others for their sin? Instead of mercilessly judging and condemning others, may we remember the cross where Jesus died, the place where God’s “mercy triumphs over judgment” (v13), and may we live our lives humbly and compassionately, always pointing ourselves and others to the cross where Jesus paid for all of our sins.
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us the way that You do, how Your love does not depend on our economic status or social standing. Thank You for seeing that all of us, no matter how rich, beautiful or well put together we may appear, are in the need of Your mercy, and thus You died for us all. May I love people regardless of how they “size up” in my eyes, because that’s the way You love me. Since mercy triumphs over judgment, may I treat others with mercy too. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
