Beyond Appearance
God's Standard of Love
Honoring the Poor - The Sin of Partiality
No Favoritism in Christ
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 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. 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4, NIV)
The Epistle of James addresses one of the most pervasive issues in human society: favoritism. James speaks directly to the church, urging believers not to be swayed by outward appearances or social status. This passage challenges us to reflect on the true meaning of love and justice in the Christian life, emphasizing that we are all equal in the eyes of our "Glorious Lord Jesus Christ" (v.1).
Favoritism and the Call to Genuine Love
James’s words are sharp and convicting, for they expose a tendency that still infiltrates communities today—showing partiality based on wealth, status, or appearance. William Barclay notes, “The Christian faith brings into life a new standard of values. The standards of the world are based on the things that can be seen. The Christian standard is based on that which cannot be seen” (The Daily Study Bible). When we make distinctions between people based on what they possess or how they look, we are living according to the world’s standards, not Christ’s.
The root of favoritism is found in our hearts, in the way we value material wealth over spiritual worth. James identifies the evil of judging people by outward appearances, which often leads to treating the wealthy with more honor and dignity than the poor. This is in direct contrast to the teachings of Jesus, who consistently uplifted the marginalized and warned against storing treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).
The Royal Law of Love
James calls us to a higher standard, one that reflects the heart of God. In verse 8, he writes, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” This royal law, quoted from Leviticus 19:18 and reaffirmed by Jesus in Matthew 22:39, is at the center of Christian ethics. Matthew Henry explains, “The love of our neighbor as ourselves is a royal law, because it is prescribed by the King of kings, our Lord Jesus, and is the law of His kingdom.”
The true measure of love is found in how we treat those who cannot offer us anything in return. Jesus exemplified this love in His ministry, reaching out to the outcasts and the downtrodden. Charles Spurgeon, reflecting on this passage, said, "The gospel regards the poor as much as the rich, and often the poor more than the rich because they are more willing to listen to its voice and accept its teachings."
James reminds us that favoritism contradicts the gospel because it undermines the value of each person as created in God's image. When we discriminate, we dishonor the poor, who are often "rich in faith" (v. 5), and we show our allegiance to worldly measures of success, not God's.
Judgment and Mercy
James further warns us about the consequences of showing favoritism: "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" (v.9). Our judgment of others based on external factors places us in a position of becoming "judges with evil thoughts" (v. 4). This is not the way of Christ, who will judge all people impartially. Eugene Peterson, in The Message, paraphrases this beautifully: “Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges.”
The passage points us back to the truth that all humans will face God’s judgment. Alexander Maclaren emphasizes that favoritism not only harms others but also corrupts the one who shows it. "The spirit of favoritism is a spirit of self-seeking, and is at variance with the Gospel, which is the expression of a divine love that gives itself to the lowest," he writes. The call to love our neighbor as ourselves is not just a command to avoid outward favoritism but to cultivate an inner life that reflects God’s mercy and justice.
Living Out the Royal Law
James's message calls us to a radical reordering of our values. As followers of Christ, we are not called to judge by worldly standards but to see others as God sees them—with dignity and worth. We are called to live out the royal law of love, which binds together justice and mercy.
The challenge for us today is to examine our own hearts.
Do we, perhaps unknowingly, favor certain people over others based on status, appearance, or wealth?
Are we more likely to listen to those who can offer us something in return rather than those who are in need?
As we reflect on these questions, may we be guided by the love of Christ, who, though He was rich, became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9).
In closing, we would do well to remember the words of Jesus: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). The way we treat the poor, the marginalized, and the outcast is a reflection of our love for Christ Himself.
Let us, therefore, strive to live out the royal law of love, without favoritism, knowing that in doing so, we honor our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
Quotes Referenced:
- William Barclay: The Daily Study Bible
- Matthew Henry: Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermons on the Gospel of James
- Alexander Maclaren: Expositions of Holy Scripture
- Eugene Peterson: The Message
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