Favoritism Forbidden
2:1-7 Rich vs. Poor
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
I was once told that God shows favoritism and bias towards the poor. That completely blew my mind. We tend to think (or, at least in the environment I grew up) that God loves everyone equally and unconditionally. But it's very evident throughout Scripture that God does show at least some level of preference towards the poor. I think part of that is because they are so grateful for everything they have, and they take very little for granted, especially God's love and blessings. This passage says we aren't to show favoritism towards the rich - but are we to show favoritism towards the poor?
I was blessed to witness the paradox of poor in material, yet rich in faith, in person when I went to Swaziland last year. That whole experience was completely life-changing, and of course I could talk about it for days, but I'll save you from boredom. Anyway, it was amazing to spend time with the Swazis, who have virtually nothing compared to a great majority of our western society, but yet have the greatest, deepest, purest faith of anyone I have ever met. With their simple lives, they don't have the distractions we have every day here (television, media, extravagant shops, even school and work to an extent) to keep them from thinking about and acting out their faith. It was a beautiful paradox to witness, and I wish everyone could spend time in a culture like that.
2:8-11 Whole Scripture
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Can you imagine if our society was like this? "If you steal a candy bar, or jaywalk, you will be considered the same as a murder!" There would definitely be an improvement in pedestrian behavior! This passage does bother me a little, because there are certain parts of Scripture I don't necessarily agree with - does that make me a bad Christian? Am I holding the values of man above God? All I know is that I am trying to glorify God with everything I do, and he is always at the forefront of my intentions - even when I don't always agree with what is said in Paul's letters.
2:12-13 Judgement
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!
It's interesting thinking about "the law that gives freedom." Doesn't law take away freedoms? The freedom Paul writes about is eternal life with Christ. That is the ultimate freedom - freedom from death. We are free and forgiven of our sins through Christ's death. That doesn't mean we can run around acting like heathens - we still have to keep a close watch on our words an actions so we can obey God fully. "The law is no longer an external set of rules, but it is a 'law that gives freedom' - one we joyfully and willingly carry out, because we love God and because we have the power of his Holy Spirit to carry it out." I am joyful and willing to carry out the law!
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