This past Sunday, we continued our journey through the book of James, and we came to a passage that speaks directly to the heart of what it means to live out genuine faith: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1)
The Problem of Partiality
Pastor [Name] began with a story from Pastor Fred Craddock about a little church in East Tennessee that once refused to welcome newcomers into their fellowship—young families, workers, and travelers who had moved into the area. The congregation decided that to become a member, one had to own property in the county.
Years later, that same church building had become a restaurant—filled with people of all kinds: young and old, locals and tourists, workers and families. Craddock’s reflection was sobering: “It’s a good thing this isn’t a church anymore, or these people couldn’t be in here.”
That story hits close to home. James warns us about the same danger—a heart that shows favoritism, that values people based on wealth, appearance, or status rather than on the grace of God. It’s the tragedy of allowing human prejudice to creep into the house of God.
What Favoritism Really Is
James paints the picture clearly: two people enter a worship gathering. One wears fine clothes and gold rings; the other, worn and dirty garments. The wealthy man is given the best seat. The poor man is told to stand in the back or sit on the floor.
James asks, “Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives?” (2:4)
Favoritism, Pastor [Name] reminded us, is treating some people as more valuable than others based on what the world prizes—status, looks, income, influence. But to show favoritism, James says, is to deny the gospel in practice.
We might love the gospel as a concept, but living it out—loving others without prejudice—is where our faith is tested.
God’s Upside-Down Kingdom
In verse 5, James says something shocking: “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith?”
The world honors wealth and power, but God honors humility and faith. His economy is upside-down compared to ours. He delights in using those the world overlooks.
When we show favoritism, we dishonor the very people God has chosen to honor. And worse, James reminds us that favoritism isn’t just bad manners—it’s sin. It breaks the “royal law” of Scripture: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mercy Triumphs
At the heart of this passage is hope. James closes with one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture:
“Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)
Through Jesus Christ, mercy has triumphed. On the cross, Jesus took our judgment and gave us His righteousness. Every act of pride, every moment of favoritism, every sin—He bore it all.
Now, through His Spirit, we are empowered to love without partiality—to see others as He sees them. Every act of mercy, every choice to treat someone with dignity, every time we choose compassion over comfort, we reflect Christ’s heart to the world.
Us and Them
We live in a world obsessed with dividing people—by race, politics, class, nationality, generation. Everything seems to be us versus them. But Jesus broke that pattern.
He went to “the other side”—to the Gentiles, to Samaritans, to sinners, to the broken and forgotten. He erased the dividing lines and showed that every life matters to God.
At the cross, there were no “us” and “them.” There was only humanity on one side—and Jesus, making the other side His side.
The Call for the Church
The Church is meant to reflect heaven—where people from every nation, tribe, and tongue stand together before the Lamb. In that eternal picture, no one’s status, clothing, or social standing matters. Only love does.
So, who are we overlooking?
Who are we avoiding?
Who have we deemed “too much work” to love?
If we’ve tasted mercy, we are called to extend mercy. Because mercy triumphs over judgment.
The gospel destroys favoritism. And when the church lives this truth, heaven touches earth.
Key Takeaway:
“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.”