Favoritism Violates the Law of Love - March 13, 2022

By Pastor Chuck Ryan

Favoritism Violates the Law of Love
Text: James 2:1-13
Thesis: God calls the believer to keep the “royal law found in scripture, ‘love your neighbor as
yourself’”. James 2:8
1. God commands believers not to show favoritism. He states it
emphatically, “Don’t”. See James 2:1
Favoritism is, “the unfair practice of treating some people better than others, the showing of
special favor or partiality to a particular person or persons.”
A. James gives example of favoritism being practiced in the Church.
Read Vss. 1a-4
1. The Church is called to be a role model to the world of God’s plan for
humanity.
B. It is spiritually and morally wrong to discriminate against another person solely on their
economic status, race, gender, color, language, size, family, or education level.”
C. The Bible makes it clear that everyone is made in the image of God.
• “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
created them.”
Genesis 1:27
D. The word of God says favoritism is a sin.
Read Vss. 8-11
1. Favoritism violates the 2nd Great Command or as James calls it the Royal Law.
a. Jesus said, “All of the law and the prophets hang on the 1stand 2nd Great commands.”
2. The Gospel promotes Unity not Uniformity.
A. A Biblical definition of Spiritual unity:
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and
one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:3-6
B. Uniformity is concerned with the outward appearance being the same.
C. God loves diversity.
1. God’s creation is full of variety.
2. We should celebrate God’s creation plan.
3. We must mature, and move past having to be around only those like us.
3. This issue is of such a serious nature we are reminded that “Mercy
triumphs over judgment.” Read vss. 12-13