Bible Study – Connecting (2) – Open Arms – September 9, 2018

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Welcome Home.”

Our focus scripture in James 2:1-10.

Welcoming others goes beyond a friendly handshake.

Showing partiality is an act of evil, which James equates to sin. 

Partiality/favoritism is a form of discrimination, which includes:

-         Economic status

-         Race

-         Ethnicity

-         Where a person lives or born

-         The type of house where a person lives

-         Lifestyle, Car, Accent, School or schools and the list goes on

Let’s read James 1:1:

1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.

To whom was James the half-brother of JESUS writing? He was writing to the 12 tribes. These were Jews who had become Christians in the Jerusalem and surrounding area. Fellow Jews in the Jerusalem and surrounding area persecuted these Jews who became Christians and as such these Jewish Christians fled the Jerusalem area. The Jewish-Christians who fled Jerusalem/Israel are referred to as the Diaspora. These Jewish-Christians in many cases had not been taught how JESUS fulfilled the law when HE gave HIS life upon the cross when HE allowed the Romans to crucify HIM. James was teaching these Jewish-Christians what they had through faith in JESUS. Thus, as we read our scripture, we will see how this attempt to help the Jewish-Christians to live under grace and not the law would result in a lifestyle change from their Jewish teachings to the teachings of JESUS.

James highlighted some of the areas these Jewish Christians would need to wrap their minds around such as what James wrote in James 1:2-27:

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 

4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 

6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. 

9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation; 

10 but the one who is rich [should boast] in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 

11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities. 

12 Blessed is a man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love Him. 

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone. 

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.

15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 

16 Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 

17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 

18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.

Hearing and Doing the Word

19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 

20 for man's anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. 

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. 

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror; 

24 for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. 

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts-this person will be blessed in what he does. 

26 If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless. 

27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

The Jews thought if they were prosperous and life was going well for them and their family, they were in right-standing with GOD. James was painting a larger picture for those who had become Christians through faith in JESUS the Promised Messiah.

This applies to us, as Christians, today. Often, we get the idea that life is supposed to be smooth sailing for us when we obediently serve JESUS. But often, it is the issues and circumstances we face in life’s journey that help us to build an intimate, loving, personal relationship with GOD through our faith in JESUS.

So as Christians, how are we to live as born-again Children of GOD through faith in JESUS?

Let’s read James 2:1-4:

Favoritism Forbidden

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 

Fellow Christians, we “must not show favoritism.” What does that mean? Favoritism is the display of preferential treatment to a person or persons not shown to others. The word “favoritism” means “receiving or lifting the face. If a ruler received or lifted this person’s face the ruler would hear what the person had to say.

James, the half-brother of JESUS, followed the statement in verse 1 with the following example to all Christians and especially the Jewish-Christians ---

2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 

He gave an illustration which could be compared and evaluated. It could have been an example reflecting what he had observed among those to whom he was writing.

A person wearing a gold ring and fine clothes would give the impression that he or she was wealthy. The language implied that this person was “shining,” standing out among the group or we may say today that this person was dressed to the “nines.” The obviously poor person was filthy. The use of the word “filthy” could lead the reader or hearer to embellish what could often accompany a person who is considered “filthy.” What is our natural tendency?

Often, we show partiality or special attention to the person we think is wealthy, likely prominent and would represent our group well. We want that person to become a member of our group and our friend. If we or our group depends upon financial or other support, this person would be a good resource for us.

Our natural tendency is to cater to the apparent wealthy or prominent person by offering him or her the best seat in our meeting or gathering. But when we show partiality or favoritism, what message does that communicate to others both within and outside our group or meeting?

3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 

4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 

James likely touched a nerve. He likely knew of situations where they had discriminated among each other within their group. Now that James had their attention, James wanted them to listen carefully. This is a message to all Christians. Most churches or Christian groups struggle with finances or the desire to influence the community. It is easy for them to get caught up in seeking elite members or attendees.

When Christians show “favoritism” it reveals their heart. The Jews thought fellow Jews, who were prosperous, were blessed by GOD and were in right relationship with HIM. This thought process likely carried over into the Christian faith. Christians needed to get it straight how GOD looks upon a person. It is not his or her prosperity. It is his or her heart. Riches can be a barrier to a person with wealth. JESUS said it best as recorded in Matthew 19:24:

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Let’s read James 2:5-7:

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: 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 dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 

7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 

James wanted fellow Christians to understand that GOD looked beyond personal accomplishments to the attitude of the heart. James stated, often, it is the wealthy who are your enemy and not your friend. We may seek to impress those who have wealth or prominence, which highlights an attitude of our hearts.

This does not mean we shun those who are wealthy or powerful but we are to realize that often a person’s wealth or position can be a hindrance to him or her from becoming a Christian. Often, a person believes he or she is in the right relationship with GOD because he or she has prospered. A person can be self-sufficient and think he or she does not need GOD or already in right relationship with GOD because of his or her accomplishments. This was the Jewish understanding.

Do not be misled, all, rich and poor, are in need of salvation through faith in JESUS. Those who are poor are in need of material things. Often, this is GOD’S way of getting their attention to seek HIM. We must keep in mind that GOD has known each of us before the world was created. (Eph. 1:4).

As the poor seek material needs from the storehouse of GOD, they experience GOD’S provision and care. This, in turn, draws them or us closer to HIM and they or we build a personal, intimate relationship with HIM. We also need to keep in mind that GOD’S ways are not our way and HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Isa. 55:9)

This is true today as we journey through life. This is where trust comes into our lives. When Christians are in the dark that is when we must trust in the dark what we have learned in the light. Easy to say but hard to practice when it is you or your family during dark times. But trusting in the dark builds a person’s faith.

James was attempting to change the mind-set of those coming from Judaism and bringing such thought-life into being a born-again believer in JESUS.

Often, people who are self-sufficient dishonor the name of JESUS. They consider those who need JESUS deficient in their ability or intelligence to deal with the issues they encounter in life. Often, these people consider faith in JESUS to be a crutch to enable their weakness. How do we look at faith in JESUS?

JESUS offers hope for all – rich or poor, the mighty or weak because all are sinners in need of salvation.

Let’s read James 2:8-10:

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 

James quoted Leviticus 19:18:

18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. 

JESUS reinforced this when a lawyer asked HIM a question as recorded in Luke 10:25-27:

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 

JESUS replied, in essence, since you know what to do, then put what you know into action. Most Christians know what to do but putting what they know into action falls short; me included.

Putting what we know into action is often a problem. The key for Christians is, when a short coming is brought to his or her attention that is the moment he or she needs to confess it, pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Often, Christians jump into what we think is GOD’S will and purpose. We may need to pray, or we may need a prayer partner to join us in praying to seek GOD’S will in how we are to respond. By the same token, often, we know instantly.

9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 

10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 

In verses 9 and 10, James is talking to those who are hanging onto their Jewish heritage. Notice that James calls favoritism a “sin” and when those under the law break one point of the law they have broken all of the law. That is why GOD’S Grace is superior to the Law. The only way a person escapes the law is through faith in JESUS. When you have JESUS you are free from the law and its consequence. A Christian is under GOD’S Grace. Therefore, Jewish-Christians, rejoice in your new relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Yes, you still sin but when you confess it, repent and GOD forgives and restores. You always belong to GOD through faith in JESUS.

Let’s read James 2:12-13:

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.

When we show favoritism, in essence, we are judging without mercy or grace. Mercy, compassion and love are attributes of GOD. Christians are being made into the image of JESUS. Prejudice, favoritism, etc. are not becoming attributes of GOD’S ambassadors to HIS Kingdom. Ouch!

Blessings!!!