As mentioned before the two main influences of James’ letter come from the Sermon on the Mount teaching where Jesus introduces us to an upside down Kingdom but also the Wisdom found in Proverbs especially ch 1-9. It is the wisdom of God that we will see come through time and time again.
So before we read our next verses let’s remind ourselves of what Jesus said in His sermon:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48
With that in our mind we see what James says and it is in alignment with Jesus’ message of no partiality.
“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? But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?” (James 2 v 5-7)
Partiality is a major issue for James because God’s righteousness is the major issue for James. God is righteous and doesn’t show favouritism/partiality to anyone, so this must be the pattern we are to follow.
James is saying if they only look after the wealthy and despise the poor then what they are saying is that the poor are the sinners and the wealthy are automatically Christian. The Bible says that all have sinned.
James uses this particular scenario about wealth and riches compared to poverty, but that’s because this is what was relevant to the Christians then. The absurd thing is the very people they had given the best seats to are the same ones that James says were oppressing them and taking them to court!
It just shows that partiality doesn’t have anything to do with the actual person’s character.
Favouritism or partiality contradicts not only God’s choice (v5), but it also contradicts God’s law and God’s mercy.
If we have been brought up in the church we have certainly viewed righteousness in terms of private morality. Yet James was of the belief that it also refers to day to day living in which a person conducts all relationships in family and society with fairness, generosity and equity.
When will we recognise that the heart-beat of God is all about others? When will we stop getting angry and het up with people’s failings and instead get angry about poverty, slavery, abuse, inequality, injustice, unfairness?
It’s time for us to treat people the way God treats them.
Missions Paul 