James - Favoritism & Sin
Last week I shared a bit of my childhood story. I have two sisters born before me, then a brother, a sister, and another brother born after me.
So, six kids.
It’s no wonder my dad was an alcoholic with a bad temper.
I was the oldest son, and there was a 16-month age difference between my brother and me. My dad had spent the day drinking, and one night, he sat my brother and me down at the table; he looked me dead in the eye and said, “You are my favorite son.” Then he looked at my brother in the eyes and said, you are number two. But Joe is number one.”
What a terrible way to parent! Throughout our childhood and teen years – my brother was always competing against me. He and I fought hard. Fist fights. Cussing fights. But now – years later – we have both surrendered our lives to Jesus, and of all my siblings, I have a closer relationship with him than any others.
Trust me, it's destructive when parents play favorites with their children. It creates tension, fighting, jealousy, division, and isolation. Yet, the first followers of Jesus were Jewish people, and they were convinced that they were God’s favorites. The Old Testament teaches us that God promised to bless the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and he promised to send a SAVIOR.
So, the earlier followers of Jesus initially considered Jesus an EXCLUSIVELY Jewish Savior. We understand why they may have thought that…but…as we will learn from our passage of scripture today, these early followers of Jesus were WRONG.
Or as Colonel Sanders from “Waterboy” would say – “Momma was wrong again.”
When Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, he said to his disciples:
Matthew 28:19 (NLT2)
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of (finish the sentence) all the nations.
Yet, the followers of Jesus that James wrote this letter were failing at reaching other nations with Jesus' life-changing message. They were only reaching the Jewish nation, and, to make it worse, they showed favoritism between the Jewish people.
Let’s read:
James 2:1-13 (NLT2)
1 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? 2 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. 3 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, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? 5 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? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. 10 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. 11 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. 12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 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.
When we launched this series, we looked at Acts 1-9 to get some of the context for the people James wrote this letter to. Now, it is highly likely that James wrote this letter after the events that unfolded in Acts 10. In Acts 1-9, the good news of Jesus had not yet reached outside the walls of the Jewish community. But in Acts 10, non-Jewish people began surrendering their lives to Jesus.
If that is the case, then it makes sense that he began his letter writing to the “Twelve Jewish Tribes scattered abroad…” In his mind, he was writing exclusively for the Jewish people he had pastored, even though he now understood the message of salvation was for everybody. The first thing we understand from this passage is something James learned from the gospel spreading outside the circle of Jewish people:
FAVORITISM IS A SIN BECAUSE FORGIVENESS IS FOR ALL.
James was a Jew.
He was a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He was chosen by God.
He was a brother to Jesus and the Pastor of the first Church in History.
Through his growth as a believer in Jesus, James understood that God created all people and God Loves all people…therefore He has no FAVORITE!
Can I tell you a secret? I actually thought I was God’s favorite as a younger believer.
After surrendering my life to Jesus, I began reading my Bible and praying in the morning before work. In the evenings, before bed, I read my bible and talked to God again. I attended church every Sunday morning, night, and Wednesday and often furiously took notes.
And on top of those outside visible things – I sensed a nearness with God unlike anything I had ever felt. Whenever somebody would teach that God does not have favorites – I wanted to leap out of my seat and yell – YES, HE DOES! I’m his favorite!
I think that is what a growing intimate relationship with Jesus feels like. When you are growing in your relationship with God – you can’t help but feel special.
Even though I felt like I was God’s favorite, the truth is – There is no favoritism with God.
FORGIVENESS for sins is for everybody. ALL who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
We are to love people regardless of race, political affiliation, religious views, nationality, socioeconomic status, and it is our mission to “Lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.”
Which people? All people.
Why? God loves them all!
I understand we live in a divided world.
We are divided by wealth.
We are divided by State lines.
We are divided by borders of countries.
We are divided by language…
But all…
DIVISIONS DISSIPATE AT THE CROSS
In the days of Jesus, the Jewish people not only believed they were God’s favorites but there was also great hostility between Jewish people and non-Jewish people.
The Gentiles were forbidden from entering the Jewish Temple, where the Jewish people could go. The closer one was able to get inside the temple, the “nearer” you could get to God. But the Gentiles (all those who were not Jewish) were not good enough to enter into God’s presence for worship, and they were restricted to the outermost wall —the Court of the Gentiles.
It was like a designated spot for smokers.
You could go this close – but you weren’t good enough to have the best seats…
Archaeologists found an inscription on the wall that warned Gentiles against going any further.
It read: 'No foreigner is to enter within this wall. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his death.'
If you are having a hard time grasping the hostile meaning of those words, imagine that on the outside of our church building, we had a sign that read:
"Snowbirds, enter these doors, and you die...”
"Transplants, enter these doors, and you die…”
“White people, enter these doors, and you will die.”
“Black people, enter these doors, and you will die.”
I know these words are harsh, but I want you to feel the kind of exclusion that was happening at the time of this writing. This is the type of hostility that Jesus' sacrifice destroys. The truth is, if we are honest, we sometimes still have barriers in our hearts that keep people at a distance. Barriers that treat others as if they are not welcome or good enough to be around us.
Maybe you treat Golf buddies better than the cashier at the Grocery Store. Maybe you treat the people who live in your community better than those who stand at the corner begging for food. God’s love compels us to something radically different. The Temple walls kept people out, but the cross tears down every wall. At the cross, every single person—regardless of background—is welcomed by Jesus.
Favoritism contradicts everything Jesus stood for. The first church was almost exclusively filled with Jewish converts. They believed that Jesus was just a Jewish Savior. Because of favoritism, they missed God’s bigger mission—to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham.
The favoritism seeped into other areas. The rich and wealthy received the best seats, the poor sat on the floor in the back.
And that is why we see AMAZEMENT in Acts 10:45:
Acts 10:45 (NLT2)
45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too.
The Jewish Believers were amazed that divisions dissipate at the cross. Paul wrote this in Galatians: In Christ…
Galatians 3:28 (NLT2)
28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Love changes the way we see ourselves, changes the way we see others, and changes the way we treat and respond to others.
Remember, it’s always a good thing to show grace and love. Love is patient. Love is Kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude, It is not focused on itself. AND LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Because there is no favoritism or partiality with God, as followers of Jesus, we love and lead differently. Finally, because God has no favorites and Jesus died for all people…
GOD’S GRACE IS FOR EVERYONE – INCLUDING YOU!
Whoever you are.
Whatever you’ve done.
Whatever has been done to you.
No matter your background, failures, or successes – God offers forgiveness and hope!
“Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”
Salvation isn’t based on your heritage, ethnicity, education, language, employment, or criminal record. It is offered to everyone who surrenders to Jesus, simply asking Him to change their lives by receiving him as your Savior.
PRAYER OF SURRENDER
God,
I believe that Jesus suffered for my sin on the cross and died.
I believe he rose from the dead; he is now with you in Heaven
and will return to earth one day.
I surrender my life to you and receive Jesus as my Savior.
Thank you for forgiving my sin and changing my life.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Make these words your own prayer, and turn your life over to Jesus.