JEWELS FROM JAMES #6

"A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FITS IN"

A lot of folks do not enjoy the Book of James. Why? I believe that is because the Apostle James drew clear "lines in the sand" as he wrote to fellow followers of Jesus! It really is impossilbe to misunderstand what he meant by what he wrote, so many just avoid reading it. His letter is one of the most practical, down-to-earth, where we live, books in the entire Bible. James gets very "close to home" regarding our beliefs, our behaviors and our attitudes. In today's blog, we will look specifically at what he taught concerning the biases and prejudices we practice. Just a warning . . . as we read, we may be uncomfortable as a result of our own practices.

A brilliant medical doctor discovered the use of blood plasma that resulted in saving thousands of lives during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. At Pearl Harbor, for example, 96% of those severely injured who received plasma, survived! After World War II, Dr. Charles Drew was named the Director of the National Blood Bank Program, and devoted himself to teaching doctors at Howard University Medical School about the use and values of Blood Plasma. On April 1, 1950, while driving some young doctors to a conference he was to speak at, he was involved in a serious automobile accident in Burlington, North Carolina. He was rushed to a hospital where his life could have been saved by plasma. But Dr. Drew was denied admission to that hospital because his skin was black. He died on the way to another hospital 26 miles away. How utterly tragic!

People, even Christians, still cling to and practice the biases, prejudices and personal preferences they don't want to give up. The one that seems to garner the most attention in our country is racial bias! The blot of racial bias stains the pages of our national history for sure. But, that is not the only one. In America, we still give in to what I call the American Bias! For example, the American Nationality vs the Non-American Nationality, Jew vs Gentile, Poor vs Rich, Young vs Old, Healthy opposed to Sick, Able-bodied rather than Disabled, Employed vs Unemployed, Educated opposed to Uneducated, Religious vs Secular, etc. In James we are told not to favor one person over another based on gender, social status or economics.

Bigotry has too often been expressed because of race, but it takes other forms too. There may be subtle prejudice by the younger generation toward the elderly, or the elderly toward the younger generation, Unfortunately, church history also carries the stained marks of prejudice. In the church, doctrinal divisions over questions not fundamental to the truth of the Gospel and faith in Jesus, have created a sense of intolerance, often pitting Christians against each other.

And even in more minor things, such as musical preferences, which can be treated not as mere differences of opinion, but as a serious offense. Someone may say, "if you enjoy this style or type of music, you're OK, but if you like that style, you are not OK". One lady could not stand the music that blared from the next door apartment. One day, she yelled to her neighbor, "If you don't turn that music down, I'll go insane!" "Too late," came the reply, "I turned it off an hour ago."

This attitude can also be found within the church, involving worship styles. I even heard someone say jokingly "when the devil got thrown out of heaven, he landed squarely in the middle of the Worship team!"

And then there are family quarrels and disputes where family members express their unwilling- ness to forgive and be reconciled, hold grudges and practice separation because of personal prejudice (as in "I am right and you are wrong"!). Family members can have a hard time accepting differing opinions and practices within their own clans.

Yes, we all can have our personal preferences, but James sounded a definite warning concerning partiality (favoritism) within the Family of God/the Church as Chapter Two begins.

THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED - James 2:1

"My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of favoritism" (James 2:1). He is speaking of practicing partiality. The word "favoritism" in the Greek (original language of the New Testament) comes from two different words - "to receive" and "face". So, favoritism means "To receive by face", meaning to EVALUATE A PERSON ON THE BASIS OF SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS! James warned, "Don't just look at a person's face, or outward appearance. Don't be biased in your judgment by a person's clothing, abilities, wealth, position or personality. The reason is very straight-forward: such favoritism obviously runs against the character of Christ. Though He was "glorious", He humbled Himself to identify with the poor and those sick in sin, to promise them the Kingdom of Heaven if they would put their trust in Him for their personal redemption. "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?" (James 2:5).

THE PROBLEM ILLUSTRATED - James 2:2-4

James illustrated improper and prejudicial attitudes and actions by describing two men who enter the assembly of worshipers; one being rich, having a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and the other a poor person in rags and dirty clothes. Favoritism is practiced as the rich person is given special attention and seated in a prestigious place. The poor person is told "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool" (James 2:2-3). James declared, "You have discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil motives" (James 2:4). Wow! He is calling the showing of favoritism/partiality EVIL!!

THE PROBLEM CLARIFIED - James 2:5-11

James called on his readers to "LISTEN" (strongly implying "OBEDIENCE") when he states "God chose the poor of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. . .". James is saying that favoritism is inconsistent with the Grace of God! The Grace of God is Unmerited Favor; we have not earned or deserved His favor and thus God has not shown us any favoritism. He treats us all equally. We are all sinners and in need of His grace, which we all receive from His gracious "hand"! To whom then is the Kingdom of God promised? The answer is: 1) those who are rich in faith, and 2) those who love God (verse 4). Thus, the favoritism and prejudice we practice is the opposite of God Himself! Moses said, "For the LORD your God is the GOD of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the stranger by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the stranger, for you were once strangers yourselves. . ." (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). James goes on to say that favoritism is inconsistent with The Word of God when he says . . . "If however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF', you are doing well (James 2:8). Evaluation and treatment of a person based on his/her surface characteristics is a definite violation of God's Word, Command and Standard, which is The Royal Law Of Love"! (verses 8-11) James charged followers of Jesus with these words, "But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all" (See James 2:9-10 and see Verse 11). Pretty serious statement!

We have THIS WORD from God: Faith and Favoritism don't mix; they are NOT compatible! We are to be inclusive! We are to "Welcome and Accept People" regardless of their station in life! We are to MAKE IT EASY AND COMFORTABLE FOR PEOPLE TO FIT IN! Everyone has a "celebrity status" in God's sight. Jesus said, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED" (LUKE 4:18).

THE PROBLEM TURNED INTO A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY - James 2:12-13

James told us that we must receive a new perspective and practice a new way of thinking! This will turn the problem of partiality into a glorious opportunity for God's Glory and our Spiritual Growth! "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty" (James 2:12). And, since we have been shown mercy by God, we are therefore to demonstrate mercy toward others! "For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2;13). This truth is a JEWEL FROM JAMES that shows us the way to A GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY, by MAKING A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE FITS IN!