As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. [In so doing] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 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. (James 2:1, 4, 9, 12–13, NIV 1984).
My Musings – To me, the key to this passage is “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.” If we do that faithfully it is less likely that we will “become judges with evil thoughts” by showing favoritism to some and discrimination against others. For as it is written, “do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” (Leviticus 19:15, NIV 1984). While all the time keeping in mind, “the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2, NIV 1984).
We must realize that there are some who would judge us with evil thoughts by looking down on us. And we must all “realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34–35, NIV 1984). All of us, rich and poor, high or lowly, “from every nation,” stand on level ground at the foot of the cross. The only place we can find acceptance from God. No one gets moved to the front of the line out of favoritism, or the back of the line out of discrimination.
My Advice – Judging our “neighbor fairly” is impossible when there is favoritism or discrimination. If the “the measure you use” is the measure that we would apply to ourselves fairness is much more likely. But in the end. only God’s measure guarantees fairness. He is the final judge. Do you know my Son or not? “Do what is right.”
The Brew Is A Musing 