Read James 2:1-4
My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the one who is poor, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4)
Favouritism is based on prejudice. We think that someone or something is superior to someone or something else. Paul points out three areas where favouritism is rife – racial, social, gender : “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).
When we become Christians our attitude to race, society and gender has to change. This is very relevant in Malaysia. Racial harmony is still a major issue and we are one of the few countries in the world that still have racial political parties. “The rights of our race must come first” is ingrained in the minds of many children by their Malaysian parents. Furthermore, the desire for a boy rather than a girl is often in the hearts of Christian parents, especially if they already have one or more daughters!
In this passage James deals with the social issue. We must realize that in this area of our life everyone is of equal value in God’s sight. We are all “made in the image of God”, who loves everyone in the world and who sent His Son to die for everyone. We are all of equal value but not all of equal position. And so, whilst we must honour and respect everyone we must also give particular honour and respect to those who are “over us”, whoever they may be. James implies that it is wrong for us to think that the man “wearing a gold ring and fine clothes” is of more value than the poor man in shabby clothes.
We need to examine carefully how this teaching affects our local churches. If, to some degree, we are following the pattern of the meeting mentioned in this passage: “we have discriminated among ourselves and become judges with evil thoughts” – see 2:4.
Racial, Social, Gender – are we still prejudiced in these three areas?
This meditation is extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
