Posted on 06/22/2023 5:14:46 AM PDT by metmom
"Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?" (James 2:6-7). You can’t accomplish God’s purposes by siding with His enemies.
Favoritism has a way of blinding its victims to reality. James wrote of Christians who were trying to impress a rich man so they could benefit from his wealth and social status (vv. 2-3). The rich man represented the enemies of Christ, yet they gave him preferential treatment anyway. The poor man represented those whom God chose to be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom, yet they treated him badly and dishonored him (v. 6). That's not only inconsistent, it's foolish! You can't accomplish God's purposes by siding with His enemies.
Some ungodly rich people tyrannized Christians by withholding their wages and even putting some to death (James 5:4-6). They forcibly dragged Christians to court to exploit them by some injustice or inequity. They blasphemed the fair name of Christ. The phrase "by which you have been called" (v. 7) speaks of a personal relationship. Typically new converts made a public proclamation of their faith in Christ at their baptism. From then on they were called "Christians," meaning, "Christ's own," "Christ's ones," or "belonging to Christ." So when people slandered Christians, they were slandering Christ Himself!
That anyone could overlook those evils and show favoritism to the enemies of Christ shows the subtle and devastating power of partiality. Today, the circumstances may be different, but the principles are the same. So for the sake of Christ and His people, remember the three reasons James gives for not showing partiality: You and your brothers and sisters in Christ are one with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the glory of God revealed (v. 1); God has chosen the poor to eternal riches (v. 5); and God has called you by His name (v. 7). If you desire to be like Christ, you cannot be partial. Be fair and impartial in all your interactions with others.
Suggestions for Prayer
Is there a personal or business relationship in which you are showing favoritism to gain some advantage for yourself? If so, confess it to the Lord and correct it right away.
For Further Study
Read Romans 15:5-7.
How should Christians treat one another?
What impact will we have if we obey Paul's admonition?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
This sounds like the spirit of appeasement, born out of fear. It takes courage to stand with Christ against rich and powerful who can harm you. There’s a lot of that going on now against wokeness.
How many of us have witnessed the same, or been guilty of the same fault - between Christians?
Christian striving to become part of a Christian clique? Christian striving to enter church leadership for the wrong reasons, Christians wanting to become part of a Christian clique? Sucking up to rich or influential Christians for the purpose of getting ahead?
If we are led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus will be Lord of ALL and that means not caring what other Christians think about you. If Jesus is Lord of ALL - men are not!
Absolutely there is favoritism in churches.
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