September 27
“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 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, 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,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 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? . . . If you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the Law as transgressors,” James 2:1-5, 9.
Through the apostle James, the Lord admonishes members in a Christian congregation for showing partiality. What happened in the early Christian Church also happens today. Maybe the dates on the calendar change, but the old sinful nature of people remains the same. People show partiality today as they did in the days of the apostle James.
The apostle gives an example of people showing partiality. The members have assembled for worship. Suddenly, a person enters who is well-dressed and wearing costly jewelry. Immediately, there are those who run to give special attention to the visitor and arrange to give the person a prominent seating place. After all, the clothing and the jewelry give the impression that there is some wealth available! The thought runs through the mind: We need some new, good-paying members!
Partiality is often shown toward people who are wealthy, especially if the congregation has a huge indebtedness or has a larger staff to support. Partiality is also shown toward people who have prominent positions in the community or in the local government or in extended government positions. Partiality is also often shown for people of a younger age group. After all, who wants to be a member of a congregation of old people?
Suddenly, a person enters who is in work clothing and who is not impressively dressed. As far as some are concerned, that person can just stay standing there or even sit on the floor.
In all of these instances, what is our problem? It is explained by the Lord to Samuel when he was sent to the house of Jesse to anoint a successor to Saul as king. Samuel was informed, “The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7.
The apostle James concludes, “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?” Our concern should be the salvation of souls for whom Christ died. The Lord wants people to be rich in faith.
How important it is that we teach the truths of Scripture – the Law that shows us our sin, and the Gospel that shows us our Savior and reveals how greatly God has loved us sinners. Jesus, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, suffered, died, and rose again to redeem us. His blood has cleansed us from all sin, and God has declared us justified. By believing and trusting in Jesus, we make God’s forgiveness our very own.
“Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure;
Flee the world, which would deceive us,
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above;
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father’s bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” Amen.