*These notes are from Keith Hodges*

#15 – My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into you meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judge with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4)

The church in Jerusalem (the first congregation of the Lord’s church) was now close to 20 years old. The apostles were off in other places establishing and working with congregations. So were many of the original members who had been scattered by persecution (See Acts chapter 6) Now it seems the one who is the leading figure of the church in Jerusalem is James, one of Jesus’ half-brothers. Here he begins to address a problem that had cropped up—a problem which he was justified to address. They had fallen into the worldly habit of discriminating against some based on their apparent wealth, or lack thereof. Before considering his words, let’s notice two things it’s important for all of us to remember, when that or similar problems arise today:

1. Christians are not immune to lapsing back into or developing anew worldly attitudes and practices.
2. When such occurs in a congregation, these should be addressed directly by that congregation’s leadership, if they intend at all to be the leaders God wants them to be.

Discrimination among humans towards other humans, for whatever reasons, is always inappropriate, but especially by those who are trying to be Christians. When this happens in general settings is is bad; but when it happens at a church meeting (presumably a worship assembly or Bible study), it is inexcusable. As alluded to in a previous lesson God the Father has always had a special compassion for the downtrodden. Jesus, who was rich beyond our imaginations, came and lived among as one who was poor. (See 2 Cor. 8:9). And besides, who are any of us to think we can arbitrarily decide who might be worthy or unworthy to receive the gospel, since we who are sinners are saved by God’s grace! A healthy group of Christians will receive those who don’t look, smell, or act like us … all in an attempt to share with them the same good news of Jesus we have received.

NOTEWORTHY: The world’s adage, “Birds of a feather, flock together” is hard to shake in congregations of the Lord’s church—but get beyond that, we must, if we are going to pattern our thinking and actions after that of the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit.

#16 – Listen my dear brothers: 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? (James 2:5)

As a continuation of his rebuke about discriminating against the poor, James gives a sobering reminder of the relative importance of worldly riches compared to spiritual blessings, particularly the blessing of being in the kingdom of God.

But first, another technical aspect of this book I find interesting. Some scholars suggest that much of what James says in this book is a commentary on his half-brother’s famous “sermon on the mount” (Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7). It was there Jesus had opened His beatitudes with a statement about “the poor in spirit,” most likely meaning those who readily recognized their spiritual poverty because of their sins. But in the same sermon Jesus spoke of how people are to give to the needy, i.e. not in a showy fashion. (See Matt. 6:2-4) He spoke of the importance of laying up treasures for ourselves in heaven, more so than laying up treasures on earth. (See Matt. 6:19-21) In that sermon Jesus had warned about money having more mastery over a person’s life than God. (See Matt. 6:24) And finally He addressed in a classic manner the anxieties people have over material possessions (as worldly people tend to do), instead of simply trusting God for the things we need. (See Matt. 6:25-34)

NOTEWORTHY: It is not a sin to be rich; some of God’s greatest servants throughout time have been very wealthy. Nor is being poor a shortcut to being in the Kingdom. The secret is how we use what we have, be it small or great, to the glory of God. Realistically, it so often turns out that those who strive for and achieve great wealth, somehow seem to do so having less regard for their relationship with God than they need. Pride? Craving the pleasures of this world more than righteousness with God? Jesus said a person’s life consists of more than the abundance of their possessions. (See Lk. 12:15)

#17 – But you have insulted the poor. Is is not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. (James 2:6-9)

This is a continuation of a sort of rebuke James had given his readers, regarding the way they must have been receiving the rich who visited their church, verses the way they might treat a poor person.

• Please don’t misconstrue James’ pointing out improper actions by some rich people as a catalyst for animosity towards them. The rich need the gospel just as much as the poor, and just as much as everybody in between. He’s just saying that in some cases showing undue favoritism towards the rich is a misguided approach to really helping the plight of anyone, especially the poor. The best way to help a rich person is not to curry his or her favor, but help them come to know or better understand the gospel.
• I’m not sure any of us today can fully understand why James identifies the rich as ones slandering the name of Christ. But whoever does such a thing is in dire need of somehow being brought to a clearer knowledge of the true nature and character of Jesus. Anytime favoritism of the kind being addressed here occurs never really helps the continuing growth and effectiveness of the Kingdom.
• To his original Jewish readership, very familiar with the Law of Moses, James now appeals to what he calls “the royal law,” about loving one’s neighbor as you love yourself. This was definitely mentioned in that Law of Moses at Leviticus 19:18, and then included by Jesus as one of the two greatest commandments. (See Mk. 12:29-31) Just think: the very best way to treat anyone, rich or poor, is as you would like to be treated.

NOTEWORTHY: This initial Jewish audience would have most certainly been aware of the consequences of being a “lawbreaker.” So what originally came from the Old Law, and is now heart and center of the new law with Christ. Being a consistent and habitual lawbreaker in God’s ways is a serious jeopardy we should all work to avoid.

#18 – For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:10-13)

“Rules are made to be broken.” So says those whose momentary (or sometimes lasting) desires run ahead of their good sense. Usually rules, laws, or commandments–and all which are from God—are for our betterment and protection. James had just spoken of the royal law, “love your neighbor as yourself.” (See Leviticus 19:18) His half-brother Jesus had declared it to be one of the two greatest commandments of God to be kept. (See Mark 12:29-31) That law would include not discriminating against the poor or showing favoritism to the rich. But James uses that thought to move into the important matter of how all, including Christians, will be judged by God. The Law of Moses, which Jewish people tried to follow for about 1,500 years, was meticulous with many laws regarding faithfulness to God, relationships, ethical matters, and even dietary and health laws. Try as they might, though, no one but Jesus ever kept that Law perfectly. And many tried to figure out ways to circumvent it. That inability to perfectly keep God’s commandments actually made it wonderful to learn of and accept God’s grace in the New Covenant. (I believe those who sincerely tried their best to obey God’s laws under the Old Covenant are saved retroactively by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, just as people ever since are, when they believe in Him and obey Him.) But that doesn’t mean anyone should have a flippant or unresponsive approach to God’s commandments. Those in Christ now live under a law typified by “freedom” – not freedom from any responsibility or the consequences of sin, but freedom to choose to live (to the best of our ability) the way God wants us to live. In God’s great eternal plan all sin has to be punished; Christ took that punishment upon Himself. Serving God in this new law is because we “want to,” not just because we “have to.”

NOTEWORTHY: Jesus plainly taught that those who wish to be forgiven by God for their sins must in turn be forgiving to those who have sinned against them. Too many followers of Christ ignore that teaching. It’s hard, but we must learn to do that to be faithful to Christ.