Sunday, March 8, 2020 The BIG Idea: We Must Practice Impartiality & Dispense Mercy James 2:1-13 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? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 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. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 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. Types of Favoritism: – hiring family regardless of qualifications – hiring friends regardless of qualifications – treating famous people better than others – believing a gender is better than other – treating someone different because of age – treating differently due to economic status – treating one race differently than others Five Reasons Favoritism is Wrong: Establishes myself as . (vs.4) Reveals my evil . (vs.4) Shows my of the poor & humble. (vs.5) Displays my disgraceful . (vs.6) Exposes my foolish . (vs.6) Three Warnings Against Favoritism: Showing favoritism is . (vs.8-9) It violates the “royal law” (Leviticus 19:18) Showing favoritism makes me of the whole law of God. (vs.10) We must not build a false merit system Showing favoritism is just as as adultery and murder. (vs.11) It has the same root cause… same selfishness Soul Training Exercises: I must and correct beliefs. Whatever I speak, post or write must be righteous, correct and Godly! I must for God’s help to remove favoritism in His church and in myself. Pray that Christianity will not be twisted to support sin! I must everyone always. In my pew, neighborhood, work, school, etc.!