No Favoritism - James 2:1-7

Today's lesson zooms in on the grievous sin of favoritism. It's time to get that holy spotlight out and search our hearts. Are you guilty of showing favoritism based on appearances, wealth, status or any outward worldly measuring stick?  

Let's dig in and examine this passage today to see what God thinks about it and why it is not acceptable for believers to show favoritism. 

"Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways."  Prov. 28:6

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO BIBLE STUDY   

TYPE BIBLE PASSAGE  

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

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?

READ AND MEDITATE -Read the passage three times praying for the Holy spirit to interpret God's Word to you.

GIVE IT A TITLE - I chose - No Favoritism

WHO DOES IT INVOLVE - James addresses his audience as brothers and sisters and believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.  Glorious defined:  Greek word for glory is Doxon splendor, brightness, excellence, pre-eminence, exalted state.   Simply put the attributes of Jesus, His characteristics, His holiness, His love, His grace, are all elements of His great glory.

PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE - PUT INTO YOUR OWN WORDS

As children of God we are not to show favoritism. To illustrate, suppose a person came into your Church who was dressed well; obviously cultured and highly esteemed.  Now let's suppose that at the same time a person walked in with shabby clothes but even worse that person was very dirty and smelly.  Would you treat them differently?  

Would you smile warmly and show the well cultured visitor a seat up front?  Would you quickly lead the poor unattractive visitor to a seat in the back hoping to hide him from others? 

Is this not discrimination and a blatantly open display of favoritism?  As you choose who will receive favor and who you will disdain do you not put yourself in the position of a judge ... choosing whom is deserving of your attention and special treatment - what evil (motivations, thoughts, intents) lurks in the heart.  

Listen, God Himself is judge and it is He who has chosen the poor, in this world, to be rich in Faith.  You see God sees the heart of the person - He knows if the person really loves Him or if he is coming to Church for other reasons.  He has chosen the poor, in this worlds estimation, to inherit the kingdom.  

You who show favoritism; You've got it all backwards.  Here you are honoring the rich who exploit you, will sue you if you cross them and without shame blasphemes the name of the one you claim allegiance to.  Why do you honor them and treat the poor with such disdain?    

APPLICATION - PERSONALIZE IT 

God is my creator and the creator of every single human being on Earth.  He sent Jesus to die for people - rich, poor, ugly, beautiful, witty, dumb, creative, plain - He gave His life for that poor, stinky, wretched looking person ... He loves that person as much as He loves you.  How dare we put value on a person based on how they look, act or perform.  God see's the heart.

The next time any person comes through the door at Church - think - Jesus loves you and He values you so much that He laid down His life for you.  Treat every person with the highest honor and respect.  See people through God's eyes - ALL people - look beyond outward appearance to find the treasure within.

In my life experiences I have been blessed (and I do mean blessed) to connect with people that most would turn away from.  People whom the world would think had NOTHING to offer.  But how wrong the world is ... these precious people with crooked teeth, crippled bodies, greasy hair, unkempt appearances have vital life messages.  

If anyone would but take a moment to look beyond the outward they would find some of my 'undesirable' (according to world standards) friends to be quite intelligent with hearts as deep as the ocean.  Some of these precious people have a trust in Jesus deeper than the many we esteem as leaders of the Faith.  We would do well to heed and learn from these precious saints.  In their lowly position their hearts are humble and their kindness abounds.

On the other hand I have known wealthy people who, because of their wealth, felt entitled to honor.  Though there be nothing in their lives to merit honor they believe their money and status gives them the right to speak down to others or to demand respect.   Oh these wealthy, power seeking people are not honoring God and do not deserve any respect.  God see's the heart and He is the judge.

God has also blessed me to intimately know four couples whom, in the world system, are considered to be very wealthy.  These people do not fit the mold mentioned in this scripture.  They have no desire to draw attention to themselves or receive any special honor.  

These rare and precious wealthy friends understand where their wealth comes from.  They do not use their position or wealth to get them anything at all.  These godly people understand they are stewards of the gifts God has bestowed upon them and they seek God in utilizing their wealth to bless and help those in need.  Though money is usually a HUGE stumbling block, these unique and awesome friends of mine are humble servants of the living God.

COMMENTARY - CONSULT RELIABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR 
Steven Cole - Quotes

"James focus is on the sin of showing favoritism to the rich and despising the poor, but his words apply to all types of prejudice, whether it is based on economic status, race, or anything else.

To favor some people and to disregard others based on outward
factors is a terrible sin that plagued the early church in James’ day.
It has plagued the church in every generation, because it stems
from pride, which is endemic to our fallen hearts."

"The glory of the New Testament church, in which there is
no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and
in all (Col. 3:11) ... The makeup of the local church should baffle
the world."

"The world should not be able to explain how people of different races, economic and social levels, and age groups can come together in love and harmony. To divide up the church along such lines obliterates the glory of God and His salvation!"

For a deeper study of this passage go to:  Why Partiality is Wrong

True Faith - James 1:26-27

What are the evidences of True Faith?  What are some indications that True Faith is absent?  Today's study makes two statements about True Faith.

First that the tongue is a good indication of the presence or absence of True Faith.  The tongue has the ability to bless and to curse.  Later on in the Book of James, James says, "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Second builds upon the truth that those who possess true faith are more than listeners - they are doers.  Let's dive in and see what God has to say about the tongue, our actions (caring for the orphans and widows) and our responsibility (keep ourselves from worldliness.) 

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO BIBLE STUDY   

TYPE BIBLE PASSAGE - James 1:26-27  "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

READ AND MEDITATE -Read the passage three times praying for the Holy spirit to interpret God's Word to you. 

GIVE IT A TITLE - True Faith 

WHO DOES IT INVOLVE -As we look back at James 1:19 we remember James is writing to those he calls dear brothers and sisters and ultimately you and me as God inspired James to write His message to His kids.

 

PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE - PUT INTO YOUR OWN WORDS -There are those who think they are religious yet their tongues, which are out of control, reveal they are not.  They deceive themselves if they think they are living the Christian life while ripping up with their tongues - their religion is absolutely worthless.  So, besides reigning in our tongues what is true religion?  James says it is looking after orphans and widows in their time of need and also keeping yourself from the pollution of the world.

APPLICATION - PERSONALIZE IT - The main theme of verse 26 is about taming the tongue.  In order to get a good picture of why God considers control of the tongue to be evidence of true faith I went on a search for other verses that talk about our tongue.

No Corrupt Talk - Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  Eph. 4:20

Hold it - Stay out of trouble - Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble  Proverbs 21:23

Impulse Verses Wisdom - There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  Proverbs 12:18

Evil and Deceit - Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.  Psalm 34:13

Tree of Life -  A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

There are many more references about the tongue .. for further research go to OPEN BIBLE INFO

COMMENTARY - CONSULT RELIABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR - I am utilizing John MacArthurs Commentary of the Book of James.  John ties the previous teachings to this weeks by seeing this weeks

lesson as the third test of a true believer.  The first in vs. 2-12 The Believers response to trials.  The second in vs. 13-18 The believers response to temptation and this weeks which is the beginning of the section he titled the believers response to the truth revealed in the word in vs. 19-27.

John points out that not only is it important to receive God's word and act upon it .. but its important to know that if one hears but refuses to do anything about what he is hearing it becomes further judgement against the hearer.  

When we hear God's word our attitude must be submission and further obedience.  A mark of a true believer is that when he hears the word - it is not only followed with a momentary feeling of compliance or commitment but the word changes the believer followed by long term obedience.

The tongue as we have noted is a revealer of the heart.  Though Church attenders may all look the same when you first meet them; they attend church services, activities, say prayers, have the right theology and even volunteer ... eventually their tongue will give them away.  

The person who trusts in those outward things sooner or later will expose his faithlessness with his mouth because he does not have the inner power to bridle his tongue.  Trusting in those outward acts to please God and receive His blessing are deceptive and worthless.  It is the heart God looks.  A corrupt and unholy heart eventually will be exposed by corrupt and unholy speech.

Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees, "The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart ... for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned"  Matt. 12:34, 37  Religion that does not transform the heart and thereby the tongue is totally worthless in God's sight.

Those who are true believers apply the word without selfishness.  A willingness to apply with genuine concern for the welfare of others, especially those in great need .. widows and orphans .. springs from the motivation of love and compassion ... Jesus said "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

Be a Doer - James 1:22-25

JUST DO IT - James 1:22-23

Todays Bible Study centers on an age old problem.  It's that little moving, wagging flexible tool inside our mouths called the tongue.  In our last study we honed in on the Skill of Listening. We learned what it means to be a good listener and gave some tools that will increase our Skill of Listening. 

This Bible Study Lesson, Be a Doer, picks up another aspect of listening.  This type of listening involves listening to instructions and then following through.  Are you one who listens but does not follow through with application?  What good does it do to have head knowledge with nothing to show you have learned anything?  Let's get started on today's Bible Study Lesson found in James 1:22-25.

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO BIBLE STUDY

TYPE BIBLE PASSAGE 
James 1:22-25  22 " Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." 

READ AND MEDITATE
Read the passage three times praying for the Holy spirit to interpret God's Word to you. 

GIVE IT A TITLE
Title:  Be a Doer

WHO DOES IT INVOLVE
As we look back at James 1:19 we see James writing to those he calls dear brothers and sisters and ultimately you and me as God inspired James to write His message to His kids

PARAPHRASE THE PASSAGE - PUT INTO YOUR OWN WORDS
James is beginning this passage with a directive - DO NOT.  I am not to listen (only) to the word of God - it's just like looking in a mirror .. perhaps seeing mascara smeared under my eye .. but instead of wiping it away .. I walk away and leave it there .. no changes so the mess remains.  Sounds ridiculous but if I look and do nothing about it .. yet think it is enough just to see it ... I would definitely be deceiving myself.  No, listening is not enough - I need to take action and DO what it says.  If I just listen without action I will forget everything.  By looking closely with great concentration and then not only remembering what I have studied but taking action, on God's perfect law, I will find myself in the midst of Blessings in all that I do. 

APPLICATION - PERSONALIZE IT
I have to take time when I sit down with God's Word.  This is no ordinary book - God is instructing me each time I seek His face with Bible in hand.  It's not about taking my 15 minutes to get it under my belt and move on.  It's about time with God where He speaks directly to me and I not only listen but I put whatever truth He teaches me, into practice. Writing down an action and putting it on the mirror in my bathroom will be a great 'double' reminder of the man looking into the mirror - what will I do?  Will I leave the smeared mascara on my face or will act on what I have seen?  

When I act upon truth and make changes I will be blessed - God's word is Truth and as I obey and apply His word I will always be in the middle of His blessing.

I'm going to practice His word.  Today, as I search my heart I am sensing a self esteem issue.   I'm feeling not very useful these days.  Arthritis is limiting my ability to 'do' physically.  Fibromyalgia is causing brain fog which means it is taking much l-o-n-g-e-r for me to complete these studies.  

So what I am going to do is look up verses about my value.  I will allow God's word to sink in as His word is truth.   I will get these verses deep into my hardware - to replace the lies the enemy would have me believe.  To assist me further in this process of ingraining the word for application I will commit a few of them to memory -  TODAY by utilizing one of my favorite tools:   Scripture Typer 

What God Says About My Value

Psalm 139:13
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

I am going to practice praising God today for creating me so intricately.  
 
2 Corinthians 12:10 
"For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I will choose to be content with weaknesses because when I am weak - His strength shines.

2 Corinthians 12:9 
"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 

God's grace is sufficient in my weakness and its not only sufficient but made perfect weakness.  I will be glad about my weakness knowing that in it the power of Christ Rests on me.

Philippians 4:11b
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

I am learning to be content right here, right now.

 STEP 7:  COMMENTARY - CONSULT RELIABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR

I am utilizing John MacArthurs Commentary of the Book of James.  John ties the previous teachings to this weeks by seeing this weeks lesson as the third test of a true believer.  The first in vs. 2-12 The Believers

response to trials.  The second in vs. 13-18 The believers response to temptation and this weeks which is the beginning of the section he titled the believers response to the truth revealed in the word in vs. 19-27.

John points out that not only is it important to receive God's word and act upon it .. but its important to know that if one hears but refuses to do anything about what he is hearing it becomes further judgement against the hearer.  When we hear God's word our attitude must be submission and further obedience.  A mark of a true believer is one tat not just have a momentary feeling of compliance or commitment but it is a long term obedience.

A true believer will not be satisfied with merely knowing Gods Word because the Holy Spirit will  convict of sin within and when exposed the conviction will continue until the child of God obeys.

DOER - The word (doers) carries the characterization of the whole personality all of a person's inner being - mind, soul, spirit and emotions.  James has in mind 'a person whose life is characterized by holy energy.'

HEARER - passive as in listening to a concert or auditing a college class - required to attend and listen to but not required to do outside study, write papers or take any tests.  Not held accountable for what they hear.  Many attend Churches today and benefit from great teaching but leave the building unchanged but thinking they are 'covered' because they attended Church when in fact they are deceiving themselves and are merely pretenders not believers.

The biblical line between saint and sinner is abundantly clear.  "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious; anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother" I John 3:10.

DECEIVE - Don't deceive yourself by thinking listening is enough.  Any response to the gospel that does not include obedience is self-deception.  If a profession of faith in Christ does not result in a changed life that hungers and thirsts for God's Word and desires to obey that Word, the profession is only that - a mere profession.  Satan of course loves such professions because they give church members the damning nottion that they are saved when they are not.

Men are not naturally inclined to look at themselves honestly, to perform a self-evaluation under the bright and perfect light of God's Word - They know instinctively that their pride, self-will and love of sin will be exposed under the Lords righteous standards.  The person who humbles himself to get a better look at the word proves his right spiritual motive and attitude.  His concern is not with bare facts but with divine truth - he obeys what he learns and in doing so he is blessed and God is glorified.

As he see's himself as he really is he essentially says, "Lord continue to expose my ugliness, my hopelessness apart from You.  Draw me to Yourself and cleanse me from my sins.  Fill me with Your truth, your love and purify."  The true believer loves to do what the Bible command him to do because that is the will of his Heavenly Father.  God's blessing results from a believers obedience.

There is so much more hidden in these three verses.  In the commentary I consulted there were so many applications and illustrations - too many to include in this blog.  May God help each of us to see ourselves as God see's us.  May our hunger for God grow as we look intently into His word wherein we find Life and Joy and Meaning.

Introduction to Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY BORING?

Many people think that Bible Study is not only hard work but it's boring too. I am hoping, through these Bible Study Lessons, to entice you to look at scriptures through different lenses; Fresh lenses free of preconceived ideas about God.
 
As you open your Bible you need to know that the Bible is no ordinary book.  God says it is His very words.  When you read the Bible you will be seeing God's heart.  In it we find the treasures and secrets to life.  His word is filled with helps and instructions for our lives. It is personal, It is inspired, it is God Breathed and Living!

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Journey with Me

I invite you to join me in a journey through the Book of James. My goal is to take just a few verses at a time
and look deeply into what the Spirit of God is saying.

There are treasures to be uncovered and the secrets to life are hidden in the word of God. As you study with me please feel free to contribute your insights or thoughts in the comment section.

I look forward to gleaning wisdom and application that will CHANGE my life and bless all whom God places in my path.

Simple Bible Study Guide

SEVEN STEPS:

Step 1: Write (type) the Bible passage you will study.
Step 2: Read the Bible Passage thoughtfully and carefully
Step 3: Give the section a Title
Step 4: Who is involved (as it applies)
Step 5: Paraphrase the passage - putting it into your own words.
Step 6: Application: What does it mean to me. Personalize it
Step 7: Consult a reliable Commentary to learn more about the passage from respected Bible Scholars.

I can almost hear some groans by my readers. Do these steps seem cumbersome?  All I ask is that you give me a chance to show you just how user-friendly this process really is.  Perhaps it will appeal to your need to know. :)

Pray before you begin. We need the Holy Spirit to give us eyes of understanding as we open God's Word. Ready?

Let's get started.