This week at Dayspring, Pastor Joe continued our series through the book of James with a powerful message about how genuine faith shows no favoritism. In a world that constantly divides people by wealth, status, or appearance, James reminds us that the gospel of Jesus levels every barrier—because mercy always triumphs over judgment.
The Sin of Favoritism
James begins the chapter with a direct command: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1)
To drive this home, Pastor Joe shared a story about a small Tennessee church that once refused membership to newcomers who didn’t own property in the county. Years later, that same building had become a restaurant filled with people of every background. Reflecting on it, Pastor Fred Craddock said, “It’s a good thing this isn’t a church anymore, or these people couldn’t be in here.”
That story captures James’s warning. Favoritism can creep into the church quietly—when we give honor to those who “look the part” and overlook those who don’t. When that happens, we contradict the very heart of the gospel we claim to believe.
God’s Upside-Down Kingdom
James points to God’s surprising economy: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith?” (v. 5) The world honors power, wealth, and influence, but God honors humility and faith. He delights in using the very people the world overlooks.
When we show favoritism, we dishonor those whom God has chosen to honor. And James is clear—it isn’t just bad manners. It’s sin. It violates the “royal law” of Scripture: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Genuine faith doesn’t just believe that truth; it lives it out in how we treat people every day.
Mercy Over Judgment
At the heart of James’s message is a simple, life-changing truth:
“Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (v. 13)
Through Jesus, mercy has indeed triumphed. On the cross, He bore our judgment and offered us grace instead. Because of that mercy, we are free—and called—to extend the same compassion to others.
Every act of mercy, every moment of grace we show, is a reflection of Christ’s own heart. When we withhold mercy, we forget how desperately we ourselves have needed it.
Breaking Down the Dividing Lines
Pastor Joe reminded us that our culture thrives on “us versus them.” But Jesus crossed every dividing line—race, class, gender, and sin—to welcome the outcast and the forgotten.
At the foot of the cross, there are no insiders or outsiders. Only sinners saved by grace. The church should be the one place in the world where people of every background find belonging, dignity, and love.
When we welcome without favoritism, when we honor the poor and overlooked, when we love without condition—we show the world a glimpse of heaven.
Living Mercy
James’s words invite us to examine our hearts:
Who do we naturally gravitate toward?
Who do we quietly avoid?
Whom have we deemed too inconvenient to love?
True faith refuses to rank people. It listens, serves, and loves without discrimination—because that’s exactly what Jesus has done for us.
As Pastor Joe concluded, “Favoritism is a sin against the God who shows no partiality. But the good news is that God showed no favoritism when He welcomed you.”
So let’s be a church that leads with mercy, not judgment. Because when mercy triumphs in us, the world begins to see the mercy of Christ through us.