Finally, we have come to James chapter 2! As we wrapped up chapter one, we learned about restraining our tongue as a sacrifice of righteousness to the Lord. James is a hard hitter….and the hits just keep on coming ;)
Let’s read the first seven verses of James:
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
The words I’m gravitating towards in this passage are “hold and partiality.” When I hear “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” I think of someone hoarding God’s great gift. I think of me hoarding God’s great gift. Thinking, “Well I know how Mrs. X has behaved for the last 10 years, and I’m pretty sure that nothings going to change her. Yes, I do believe that this is one of those times I shouldn’t cast my pearls before swine.” Yes, there are truly times that we should not cast our pearls before swine, but my question is, has that become my regular response?
You’ve heard the saying, “People never change,” and “A leopard can’t change it’s spots.” To a certain extent, I believe that these sayings are accurate. A person changing their behavior, of their own volition, is a very rare thing. Yet, the Lord…. The Lord can do anything. He can change the vilest sinner, a murderer, and change him into the Apostle Paul. He can change us, and that person in your life (and mine) that you’ve written off…if the Holy Spirit dwells in them, they can indeed change, grow, and mature.
How tragic when we are selective(partial) with who we share the gospel with. The Lord selects the lowly and vile to transform so they can do His work. Who are we to think we know better…..