God has No Favorites
"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, 'You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor' - well, doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?" James 2:1-7 NLT
God has no favorites - Romans 2:11. Do you?
Favoritism is not new. It is an age-old sin struggle, often rooted in selfishness, relatability or expectation.
Here in the second chapter of James, James is speaking directly to the Christians who claim they have faith in Jesus Christ, the One who reveals the glory of God. He begins by bluntly calling out the Christians’ sin of partiality as he exposes their tendency to be more favorable to the rich than the poor—James 2:3. “This is sin! And this discrimination shows you are guided by wrong motives,” James declares to the church—James 2:4, 9.
Ask yourself - what evil motive is guiding favoritism around you?
See, we need to remember that church is not about us. It’s about God! We Christians gather together, as the church, to see God’s glory—John 11:40 as we sit in His presence— Psalm 16:11. We come together to hear God’s Word and to make the needed changes in our own lives—Nehemiah 8:8-12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17. We meet to learn more about Jesus so we can live like Jesus, reflecting Jesus in our actions—1 John 2:6.
Why then, do we struggle with favoritism at church?
Christian, do you personally go to church to close your eyes and worship the Lord your God in spirit and in truth or do you go to eye the clothes of the person worshipping in front of you? Evaluating them by what they are wearing. Judging them. Forming an opinion of them before you even talk to them. Is this you?
Repent. Prove by the way that you live that you have truly turned from your sins and turned to God—Matthew 3:8.
Church should be the friendliest place on earth, where people truly show genuine love for others—Romans 12:9. In the grand scheme of things, people just want to be accepted. They want to be loved. The world can be very harsh and thus the church should be a safe haven. But when favoritism creeps into the pews and cliques are formed, walls are built up and people feel like they have to walk on eggshells around you lest they be judged by you. Not good, Christian. Jesus does not like it when we keep others from Him—Mark 10:13-16, and judgment is one avenue Satan utilizes for that to take place. Everyone has free access to Jesus Christ. His love is for the many different personalities and backgrounds of the nations—John 3:16.
So, be friendly! Say “hi” to people. Sit with someone who is sitting alone. “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified”—Romans 15:7 NLT.
Today, what is God speaking to you in regard to favoritism?
Prayer: Abba, please fill me with the Holy Spirit, helping me to not show favoritism. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Alysa VanderWeerd's bible study, Radical Living: the Book of James
