Don’t Show Favoritism
-
James 2:1-13
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, " "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 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. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Read Scripture:
Spend at least four days this next week, reading and practicing the O.I.A. method with James 2:14-26.
If you missed getting a Scripture journal for the book of James and bookmark, you can download them here.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Complete the O.I.A. framework for this passage from James.
Questions:
1) What key words did you find in this week’s study?
2) Make accurate observations of the passage by answering ‘who, what, where, when, why, and how’.
3) What do these observations show you about God? What do these observations show you about yourself? Journal your thoughts and share them with someone else or your group.
4) How you are going to apply this passage to your daily life? Journal your thoughts and share them with someone else or your group.
Prayer:
God,
Help me to not show favoritism. Help me to see people like you see them. How you created them, how you love them. Help me to live out my faith by reflecting your love to others.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
