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No Respect of Persons. James 2:1-13. Respect of Persons James 2:1-13. Preference , favoritism: “Partiality…respect to the position, rank, popularity, or circumstances of men, instead of their intrinsic conditions…” To treat with disdain It is unrighteous, Lev. 19:15
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No Respect of Persons James 2:1-13
Respect of PersonsJames 2:1-13 • Preference, favoritism: “Partiality…respect to the position, rank, popularity, or circumstances of men, instead of their intrinsic conditions…” • To treat with disdain • It is unrighteous, Lev. 19:15 • Good must reject it, Prov. 28:21 • It is sin, 1 Timothy 5:21
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Incompatible with Christianity, Jas. 2:1 • Saved without partiality, Acts 10:34-35 • No difference – all cleansed by faith, Acts 15:9 • Same Lord, same call, same salvation, Romans 10:12-13
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Judges by wrong standards, Jas. 2:2-4 • Race, income, social status, family, intellect, beauty, culture… Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11 • Causes division, 2:4; 1 Cor. 12:20-26 • Favoritism happens whenever we use false standards of judgment, John 7:24 • Elevates us above the Law & Lawgiver, Jas. 4:11-12
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • It reveals evil thoughts, Jas. 2:4 • Heart problem, Matt. 15:19 • Attitudes of division, separation, superiority, etc., 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:3-4 • God is holy & impartial • We are to be like him, 1 Pet. 1:15-17
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Against God’s character & judgments, Jas. 2:5 (Deut. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:26-29) • God’s character is totally impartial: • His love for mankind, Jno. 3:16 (Rom. 5:8) • Makes salvation available to all sinners, Acts 10:34-35 (1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pet. 3:9)
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Against God’s character & judgments, Jas. 2:5 (Deut. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:26-29) • God’s rewards & punishments, Rom. 2:4-11 • God’s judgments look & heart & deeds, not material considerations, Luke 6:20 (Matt. 5:3); Mark 12:41-44; Matt. 19:13-14 • Wisdom from above, Jas. 3:17
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Dishonors the affected brother, Jas. 2:6-7 • Tenderly affectionate, in honor preferring (not humiliating) one another, Rom. 12:9-10 • An obvious inconsistency of this sin… • It often honors those not worthy of honor
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Does not love its neighbor, Jas. 2:8-11 • Anticipated objection, 2:8-9 • We are to serve all & not devour any, Gal. 5:13-15 • We transgress God’s law when our “love” shows partiality, Jas. 2:10-11
No Respect of Persons,James 2:1-13 • Does not show mercy, Jas. 2:12-13 • Law of liberty judges us, so we must speak and do as it says, 2:12 (Jas. 1:22, 25) • Must be aware & responsive toward others without showing respect of persons, 2:13; Matt. 5:7 (Gal. 6:2)
Ways Not to be a Respecter of Persons, Romans 12:9-21 • Love,1 Ths. 4:9-10 • Fairness,Matt. 7:12 • Sharing together,Rom. 12:15 • Humility,Rom. 12:16
No Respect of Persons • Where there is respect of persons there will be division, resentment & hostilities, James 4:1; Ephesians 4:31-32 • When we hold “the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ” without partiality we will find & promote mercy, love & unity, (Jas. 2:1); Eph. 4:1; Rom. 12:3