Partialitys Plain Problem

James 2:1-13

Introduction: Have you ever had to deal with a partial person, maybe you have
fallen victim to the harmful words and deeds of another as someone is placed in
a position and you say, why him or her. I know just as much as they do, or I am
just a qualified, then you find out is who you know, not what you know that made
the difference. That practice goes on among the lost but do you know it also goes
on between Christians as well. Our Churches are affected by partiality as well.
This sin can affect any part of our lives, it one that has far reaching effects. If you
have been the victim of partiality you must learn to forgive and move on with your
life. If you have or still do practice partiality you must realize the negative impact
this has on peoples lives, including your own, stop it, repent of it, leave it behind
and move one with the life God has for you. This morning lets look at Partialitys
plain problem.

I. Partiality Prohibited (v.v.1-4)

A. By Exhortation (v.1)
From the very beginning James tells us to not show favoritism, especially when it
comes to our fellow Christians. The wording tells us this was already being
practiced by the Church and the Lord wanted it stopped.

B. By Example (v.2-3)
To fully understand what the Lord meant by partiality He gave us an example, a
contrast between the rich and poor. Only dont be so quick to understand this
example to be based upon money or wealth, it goes much deeper than that. The
word poor 4434 ptwco,j ptochos {pto-khos'} has a much deeper meaning in the
Greek than it does in English. The word extends beyond money and wealth to
include anything that is made under comparison, including, for example spiritual
maturity and biblical knowledge. Likewise the phrase goodly apparel refers to
someone who has been blessed with something over and above what others
may have.

We see the prohibition of partiality, but that doesnt necessarily mean it isnt
practiced. Just because the word of God tells us not do something doesnt mean
people will listen, now does it. Too often we can see the forest for the trees, thats
why God not only warns us He also shows us the damage we cause by putting
sin into practice, make no mistake partiality is sin.
II. Partiality Practiced (v.v. 5-11)
When we practice partiality we can see very plainly two events are caused within
a persons life.

A. Causes Social Separation (v.5-6)

The early church was made up mainly of working class individuals, like you and I.
The more affluent were associated with Orthodox Judaism and for the most part
look down on those who practiced Christianity. This is the basis of James
hypothetical illustration of the rich and poor. Just as there was class separation
then, when you and I practice partiality we participate in some sort of class
separation. In effect we are saying one person is better than someone else
because of (Provide contemporary examples of partiality within the Church)
Social separation is accomplished through three devices; these are very
damaging and have caused many Christians to leave Church altogether. It is
important for you and I to recognize them and avoid them at all cost. If you find
yourself participating in these, stop it immediately, repent and begin treating
others in a non-partial way. We see Social separation

1. Through Exploitation (v.6)

Or despised and oppressed the deliberate and intentional practice of holding
someone back with contempt through harsh misuse of influence. Let me give you
and example, If you use or withhold your knowledge or expertise of a situation or
circumstance knowing that someone may suffer, you are exploiting their
circumstances and that places them in a situation to fail. It introduces partiality.

2. Through Authority (v.6)

We see the phrase being drawn before judgment seats if we find ourselves in a
position where we can exercise authority over others and we allow our personal
feelings of a person to get involved we exercise partiality through authority. This
prevalent in many Churches today, people are elected to offices not because of
ability or calling but because of their popularity or influence or notoriety. Often the
men or women elected are not even aware they have been put into office
because of who they are, only those who seek to gain from the appointment.
Likewise others are omitted because of who they are as well.

3. Through Slander (v.7)

Those who oppress and those who make decisions base solely on person
feelings also commit slander. According to James they actually blaspheme the
name by which they are called. Jesus taught in the beauatitudes blessed are the
poor in spirit, and blessed are the meek. We are all in need of something,
somewhere in our lives, to take the attitude we can place someone upon a
pedestal because of our personal preference, means we are taking the Lords
place in doing so, James tells us this is blasphemy.
 B. Causes Moral Degeneration (v.8-11)
Aside from the social argument there is an argument of simple right and wrong of
the matter. The Lord tells us to love our neighbor as ourself. If we practice this
there will be no partiality, if we dont there is nothing but paritiality. The Royal Law
is what James calls it. We further learn that if we break one law we have broken
all the law. My what a thought, that should make a lot of self righteous Christians
nervous this morning, those who practice partiality actually condemn themselves.
They fall into the devils trap of sin, the very trap they are identifying for others.
There is a moral degeneration for those who practice partiality.

III.Partialitys Penalty (v.v.12-13)

There is a penalty that comes with partiality it is discussed in detail within these
verses.

A. Is the pronouncement of Judgment (v.12)

So speak ye, and so do reminds us of the fact we will stand before the Lord
during the bema seat and be dealt with for our service to the Lord. We shall be
judged by the law of liberty; we have freedom from the legalism of other people.
You and I only have to answer to the Lord, concerning the spiritual matters. We
should always remember to treat others as we want to be treated. We will give
account of how we treat others not how others have treated us.

B. Is the promise of mercy (v.13)

For those of us who choose to avoid partiality and show mercy to others we too
can expect mercy as well. We learn from Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? We love
to obtain mercy from God, Why is it so hard for us to show the same mercy to
each other? There is mercy for the mercyiful.

Conclusion: It does you and I no good to show partiality. We may gain

prosperity, power or prestige for a while here on earth but in the end we will loose
so much more. Sadly enough partiality is usually accompanied by other sin, envy,
jealously, pride just to name a few. Our relationships with other would be so
much better if we would only follow the words of our Lord and love others are
ourselves. The testimony of the church would much more powerful if we chose to
put aside partiality. The authority of Jesus Christ would much more influential to
the world if we would simply not be partial toward one another. Why dont you
and I begin a practice of showing mercy to others just as the Lord has shown
mercy to us. I am not suggesting we ignore sin, on the contrary, if acknowledge
sin as sin then we must also acknowledge partiality as a sin that man falls into
where we selectively ignore one persons sin in order to place them on a higher
plane, that my friend is wrong. Close as the Lord leads