Through the teaching of the first chapter of James, we discover that genuine Christianity is not merely a matter of talk but demonstrates itself through appropriate Christlike action. In fact, a declaration of faith without any sign of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit in one’s life is useless.
The one word for which the closing verses of chapter 1 have prepared us is absent at the beginning of chapter 2. James never uses the word again. The word is “religion.” Yet, as we jump into James chapter 2, we discover that James continues to teach on this vital subject, and that’s the link between chapters 1 and 2. Remember that religion is the specific ways that a heart-relationship with God is expressed in a believer’s life.
This is how chapter two of James begins, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). James very practically shares how we should live out our faith in the way we treat those who come into our lives, and specifically, into our churches. We are to avoid showing partiality.
James mentions “the Lord of glory.” Glory can be understood as shorthand for the personal presence of the Lord in all His goodness and in the fullness of His revealed character. Partiality reveals the values of the world, not the Kingdom of Christ. It does not demonstrate the Lord’s glory.
As we proceed through James, we read, “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts” (James 2:2-4)? James writes that the tendency is to warmly welcome those who are rich and invite them to sit in a place of honor. Where the tendency is to treat the poor differently. The point is that God shows no partiality, and neither should we.
James explains, “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called” (James 2:5-7)? In context, James’ original audience is believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire, who lost great wealth due to persecution, and their persecutors were mainly wealthy and people of position. James is not encouraging believers to discriminate against the rich but to understand that true value in the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with bank accounts, gold rings, or fine clothes. The truly rich in the Kingdom of God aren’t those who have earthly possessions but are those who are spiritually rich, laying up treasures in heaven that will last for eternity.
James’ overarching point is made in verse 1, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” Here’s the point. Those who follow Jesus Christ as Lord are to avoid partiality towards the rich, poor, or anyone else.
James offers three points to align with Christ by avoiding partiality. First, think of Jesus as the (true) glory (v. 1). Jesus is our example. He humbled himself and left heaven’s splendor, placing humanity upon His divinity, identifying Himself with the least and the worst. If our faith rests in Him, how should we reflect Him in our relationship with others? Second, think of God’s economy (v. 5). God chooses the poor to be rich in the Kingdom. The last is first, and the first is last. The true leader is a servant. Third, think of your new position in Christ (v. 1). Those of us in Christ were spiritually bankrupt before coming to the Lord. However, we were enriched in faith and hope when we received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Believers have been granted this amazing, loving relationship with God; we are His heirs and have been called by His name. The crucial question James 2:1-7 calls us to answer is, in what way will the family likeness of our Father God show itself in us? I pray it is by showing no partiality, displaying the Lord’s glory. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!