James 2:1-7

We live in a world where it is difficult to find people who are truly impartial. We exalt leaders because of their position. We idolize movie stars and athletes. We give way to the rich and famous. We seem to think that status, position, fame, wealth and power earn a bigger piece of the pie and a better seat at the table. We evaluate people based on what we observe about them and their lifestyle. We treat them accordingly. If they have something to offer, we offer them more attention, greater visibility, increasing opportunity, prominent position. If they seem to have little to offer, we push them aside, ignore them, pity them, and push past them to get closer to the more promising candidates.

James paints a picture of someone coming into the church assembly exhibiting the obvious signs of status: fine clothing and costly jewelry. That person is treated like royalty: “Here, take my seat. Come over here and meet my wife. We are so glad that you have chosen to meet with us.” Someone else comes in who gives every indication of a social outcast, a “poor” person with nothing to offer but herself. “Sorry, you’ll have to move back and give up your seat. That seat is reserved. Maybe you can find a place over there in the corner. Yes, on the floor. Sorry.” I think we have seen this scenario played out daily in countless situations in the various arenas where we function. It is rare indeed to find the person who treats you equally well regardless of their evaluation of your outward appearance.

It seems appropriate to point out a couple of important observations. First, it is impossible to truly evaluate a person based on appearance. The only One who truly knows who we really are can do so based on what He sees in our hearts. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance. I remember younger days when I was privileged to go to work with my dad. He would point out people who were shopping and tell me about them. Some he identified as wealthy I would have thought were poor. They didn’t show the appropriate signs of wealth and status. Others I thought might be important he would dismiss as gossips, social-climbers, self-important or self-obsessed. Making distinctions based on observations of outward appearance turns us into “judges with evil thoughts.” We think we can use people to further our agenda (or God’s, for that matter). In only thinking of how they can benefit us, we treat them wrongly and thus are filled with “evil thoughts.” Judgmental people do not display the love and care of Christ. And they can be completely wrong in their judgments.

Second, a judgmental attitude runs completely counter to the gospel we have embraced. God chooses to reach down and save miserable sinners, who have given up on earning status with God, who have renounced good works as a means for recognition, who have confessed to being wretched sinners in need of a Savior, who have given up on the world’s recognition to accept God’s. What greater or broader invitation than this one: “Whosoever will.” God does not choose based on appearance. In fact, He may choose to wait, as He did in Moses’ case, until all status, wealth, and power have dissipated and all that is left is a humble, willing spirit with nothing to offer but ourselves. My generation heard this saying frequently as a reminder of the truth of our humanity: “He puts his pants on one leg at a time.”

Third, we need to be reminded that the ones who have the power to use, abuse, and neglect are usually not the poor. James drives home the point that the “haves” dishonor the “have-nots”, oppress and litigate, and even ridicule and blaspheme the Christian’s values. We call upon people to reflect the likeness of One who left the riches of heaven to become a lowly man born in a stable with, as He Himself confessed, no place to lay His Head. He rejected the Pharisees and wealthy for their pompous neglect of the poor and needy. Because they thought that they were better, more deserving, they expected that He would cater to their desires. He came to seek and save the lost. It was not the rich and powerful who would acknowledge their need, but the poor, miserable and wretched. It was not the well who needed the Physician, but the sick. He made Himself available to those who recognized their need, whatever their earthly status might be.

Have you ever wondered what a place would look like that treated ALL people with respect, valuing ALL people for who they are (people made in the image of God), seeking ALL people according to their need rather than their contribution, and interacting with ALL people in a fellowship that is ALL-inclusive. What an illusion, a pipe-dream, an unattainable utopia. The Bible simply calls it “THE CHURCH.” Of course, a church may not always resemble the ideal, but we must persistently and passionately pursue the ideal until it becomes real.

James 2:1 ESV   My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.