Why is it a sin to show partiality? The book of James gives us the answer.

1. James 2:1-3

2. Introduction

In NT times people were either rich or poor,
slaves or free, Jew or Gentile, Greek or
barbarian.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free, there is neither
male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus.

Colossians 3:11 where there is neither Greek
nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is
all and in all.

3. Introduction

It takes time for these truths to sink in

Peter struggled with this truth

The Sin of Partiality – is still prevalent in many
forms today.

Today we look at:

The sin of partiality

Why it is wrong

4. What is the sin of Partiality?

Jewish Christians often showed partiality toward
the gentile Christians, also rich vs. poor

James 2:2-4 2 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, 3 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," 4
have you not shown partiality among yourselves,
and become judges with evil thoughts?

5. What is the sin of Partiality?

Jewish Christians often showed partiality
toward the gentile Christians

Today partiality is still a problem

Rich vs. poor – preferential treatment

Racial partiality

Gender partiality

Friends vs. visitors at our worship service

Prejudice is more than black / white

6. Why is Partiality a Sin?
1 - Jesus is our glorious Lord

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
partiality.

We must be like Jesus –
Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher,
but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like
his teacher.

If we show partiality, we show that Jesus is
partial (biased, racist, prejudiced).

7. Why is Partiality a Sin?
2 - We become judges

James 2:4 have you not shown partiality
among yourselves, and become judges with
evil thoughts?

God always hated unjust judges

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged.

If we judge against others we are fighting
against God.

Psalm 109:32 For He shall stand at the right
hand of the poor, To save him from those who
condemn him.

8. Why is Partiality a Sin?
3 - We despise whom God as honored

James 2:5 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?

The gospel was preached to the poor –
Luke 7:22 the poor have the gospel preached
to them.

Most who believed and obeyed were poor –
1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling,
brethren, that not many wise according to the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called.

9. Why is Partiality a Sin?
4 - We honor those who oppress us

James 2:6-7 6 But you have dishonored the
poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and
drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not
blaspheme that noble name by which you are
called?

Who is most likely to oppress you?

Acts 10:34-35 34 Then Peter opened his
mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation
whoever fears Him and works righteousness is
accepted by Him.

10. Why is Partiality a Sin?
5 - We Break the “Royal Law”

James 2:8-9 8 If you really fulfill the royal law
according to the Scripture, "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you
show partiality, you commit sin, and are
convicted by the law as transgressors.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus – Matthew 22:36-40

Paul – Romans 13:8-10

You sin, you are a transgressor of God's law

11. Why is Partiality a Sin?
6 - We will be judged by law of liberty

James 2:12-13 12 So speak and so do as
those who will be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to the one
who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over
judgment.

The law of Christ sets us FREE – John 8:32

Partiality restricts, binds, enslaves us

If we show no mercy to others, then
NO MERCY will be shown toward us.

12. Conclusion

I hope you understand why James
wrote:

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with
partiality.

We can understand why we must
accept the Gentiles

Acts 11:17 If therefore God gave them the same
gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord
Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand
God?"