IV.
As you meditate on these words of James, notice again the examples he gives of “showing partiality.”

See if you can imagine what it looks like for such “partiality” to be exhibited in a Christian fellowship.

V.
James 2:1-12 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor person. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into the courts? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

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 keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

VI.
James gives us several images he associated with “showing partiality.” Where and when do you think he might have seen such behavior?

Where have you seen partiality exhibited?

What form did it take?

Who was on the receiving end of the behavior? Who initiated it? Why do you think the person “looked down on” the other person or persons?

Can you recall a time when you regarded yourself as better than another? Why?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}