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“The Inconsistencies of Prejudice”
The Inconsistencies of Prejudice (Jam. 2:1-13)
Wade Webster
Prejudice is ugly anywhere. It is especially hideous in the church. We are supposed to be the light. We are supposed to be showing the world that the church is different. In our text, James points out four glaring inconsistencies with prejudice.
Prejudice is Inconsistent with the Faith: “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?” (Jam. 2:1-4). The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ refers to the faith of which He is the author and the finisher (Heb. 12:2). It refers to the one faith that we must endeavor to keep in order to be united (Eph. 4:1-6). It is the gospel. As you know, the gospel is for all men (Tit. 2:11). It is for all nations (Mt. 28:18-20). It is for every creature (Mk. 16:15-16). It is for the Jew and the Greek (Rom. 1:16-17). Therefore, prejudice is inconsistent with the gospel. Prejudice excludes those who are included in the gospel. Telling the poor man to stand or to sit under someone’s feet was a violation of the Golden Rule that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 7:12). It was also a violation of what Jesus taught in the sermon about judging (Mt. 7:1-5). Prejudice is unrighteous judgment (John 7:24). The Greek word translated as respect of persons means to receive face. It is to judge by appearance.
Prejudice is Inconsistent with the Father: “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?” (Jam. 2:5). Repeatedly, the Bible emphasizes that there is no respect of persons with God (Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:11). God accepts all who fear Him and work righteousness. He allows all who love Him to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. It doesn’t matter if they are Jew or Gentile, rich or poor. Although, the poor tend to love and obey Him more readily than the rich (Mk. 12:37; 1 Cor. 1:26). In the illustration that James used in the opening verses of the chapter, the brethren were prejudiced against the poor man that God loved. Their treatment of the poor man was inconsistent with how the Father thought of him and treated him (1 Tim. 2:3-4). We should strive to be like our Father in how we treat people (Mt. 5:43-48).
Prejudice is Inconsistent with the Facts: “But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” (Jam. 2:6-7). The book of James is not called the Gospel of Common Sense for nothing. James pointed out that it was the rich and not the poor who oppressed them and spoke against them as Christians. It made no sense that they would show favoritism to them. Evidently, they were courting the favor of the rich hoping for something in return. Their actions were both selfish and senseless. Since the poor had nothing to offer them, they disregarded and dishonored them. Their actions were not only inconsistent with the faith and the Father, they were inconsistent with the facts.
Prejudice is Inconsistent with the Future: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jam. 2:8-13). James’ brethren, like all men, were headed to the judgment (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10). No doubt, when James’ brethren got to the Judgment, they would need and want mercy. Yet, they were not showing mercy. They were not loving their poor neighbor as they loved themselves. They were not showing pity or mercy to the poor. They were breaking the law and would be condemned accordingly. Their prejudice was inconsistent with the future.
The prejudice of these brethren was inconsistent with the faith, the Father, the facts, and the future. Let’s guard ourselves against these same inconsistencies.
