My Dear Brothers And Sisters, How Can You Claim To Have Faith In Christ, If You Favor Some People Over Others

JAMES 2:1-7

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?
”‭‭James‬ ‭2:1-7‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/jas.2.1-7.nkj

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In this chapter James argues against favoritism and for the necessity of good deeds.
Good deeds cannot save you, but come naturally to God’s people.
Commitment is an essential part of faith, you can't be a Christian simply by affirming the right doctrines or agreeing with biblical facts. You must commit your mind and heart to Christ and walk in His truth.
Right actions are the natural by-product of true faith, a genuine Christian will have a changed life (2:18) because faith without deeds is dead (2:14-17).
James's teachings are consistent with Paul's, that we are saved by faith alone. Paul emphasizes the purpose of faith is to bring salvation, and James emphasizes the results of faith is a changed life.
Many treat well-dressed, impressive looking people, better than someone who looks shabby or poor. We do this because we are easily impressed by people of money and status; we would rather identify with successful people than apparent failures, or maybe because we desire their lifestyle, or maybe because they donate more money to the ministry.
What is true, we so often judge a book by its cover, without even taking a peek inside.
We are not called to judge anyone, but rather reach out to all people and share the truth of Jesus Christ.
A wealthy man struggled to understand this point and challenged Christ.
“Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬-‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
The irony is that many of the supposed wealthy winners may have gained impressive life styles at the expense of others, and yet still place themselves above all.
Wealthy people often believe their money gives them power over others, or consider themselves better than others and as a result of their success and find it difficult to identify with the Lord Jesus Christ who is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (REVELATION 19:16; DEUTERONOMY 10:17).
Yet He came to this earth a human being as a humble servant and lived the life of a slave for one purpose, to save all people; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
We people are, regardless of health, wealth, status, financial independence, skin colour, place of birth, all sinners, and in need of a Saviour.
Regardless of whether you like someone, or whether they annoy you, or bring blessings or cursing, just like you, they must receive their opportunity of life everlasting.
Jesus condemned no one, therefore, nor should His people, but rather except and love all who God brings to the house of God.
They may be far from God, they may be needy or hard work, but God brought them to give them their opportunity of freedom just like you. He brought them according to His plans and purposes, and for the benefit of the body.
They will in God’s timing either bow to our Lord and Saviour and become productive Spirit filled believers, or they will move on. But they must have their opportunity.
“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
We are all in the same boat, we all need Jesus.
Neither money nor status can buy your salvation, or give any kind of lasting security, or buy even one true friend.
My beloved, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a severe evil— Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Life overall profits nothing except to decide one’s eternal future.
Jesus, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭34‬-‭38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Neither your Pastor, nor any other person living or dead, nor any other item or god can save you. “Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Are you easily impressed by status, wealth, or fame?
Or do you have an unhealthy craving for money?
Are you partial to the "haves" while ignoring the "have nots"?
God views all people as equals, regardless of health, wealth, status, place of birth, or skin colour or even their sin.
Thus, as true believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, surely we should consider and treat everyone the same, with love and respect, regardless of both our and their financial situation or status.
Therefore, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen