Open Arms

James

• Book of James
• Written by ?
• Written between AD 50 - AD 60
• Very little know about the target audience
• James clearly addresses the issue of favoritism

The Setting

James 2:1-4

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with

evil motives?

A Closer Look

• Partiality neglects the image of God in fellow humans.

• Partiality sees others as objects to be used.

• Partiality sets us up as .

Let's Discuss

What are some ways we might be tempted

to show favoritism today?

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek

James 2:5-7

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. 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?

How do these verses reveal the character of God?

Pastor Jeremiah Steepek

A Closer Look -

• Favoritism makes the assumption based on external appearance.

• Favoritism focuses on what we receive rather than what we can give.

If we want to adopt the heart of God, then there is no place for partiality/favortism. We must recognize that it is only by grace we have been welcomed into God's family--and we are to extend that same grace to others.

James 2:8-10

If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

Let's Discuss

Perhaps the most obvious reason why partiality/favortism is wrong is because attitudes like these are inconstistent with love.

What is the connection between our relationship with God and our relationship with others?

How can these truths help our group be more welcoming?

(Activity on page 27)

Pray: Pray specifically that God would bring you in contact with someone who looks, talks, or thinks differently than you.

Change Seats: When you gather this week to worship or in your group, intentionally sit somewhere different. Sit next to someone new and engage him/her in conversation.

Go Someplace New: Don't just wait for someone different to come your way; be proactive and go out of your way to meet someone new. Go to a different area in your community for some everyday task like buying groceries. While you're there, engage someone new in conversation.