The Gospel is For All
James 2:1-10
Prejudice and partiality. These are twin evils that cause us to limit the expression of our love and, in turn, limit the sphere from which we can receive love. We, as humans, show partiality based on wealth, social position, prestige – or even the extent to which we have to show our love.
But we all know that God loves everyone and He wants all men to be saved. Even when it comes to preaching the Gospel, we cannot show partiality and think that just preaching to our neighbors here in Paris, or Bourbon County, or Kentucky, or even the United States will satisfy God’s will for our evangelistic efforts. The Gospel is for all.
THE FUNDAMENTAL COMMAND – verse 1:
“Personal favoritism” – [“partiality” – ESV] – comes from the Greek which literally means “receiving the face.” It refers to judging a person based on the outward appearance rather than what is on the inside. The word is used 4 times in the NT; the other three occurrences refer to God – Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25.
Next, James gives us an example of what he is discussing…
AN EXAMPLE – verses 2-4:
You can understand why a church would be partial to a wealthy man. He can give more. He also has numerous contacts, business contacts, through which evangelism can be made. He brings some prestige to the assembly, especially if it is a young assembly and a small assembly, largely ignored by outsiders.
But the point is that if you show partiality to such, James says you have judged with evil motives. You have suggested that the rich are more important to God than the poor. The rich would make better, finer, more stable Christians than the poor. That is the implication of your behavior in showing partiality. Notice in verse 4, James writes that our motives matter in how we treat others.
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THE REASON – verse 5:
How can you judge against the poor when God has chosen them? Plus, how can you judge against someone based on race, nationality, etc., when God has chosen them? In the case of the poor, God has chosen them to be “rich in faith” and “heirs” with all in the kingdom of God.
What is important to God is not whether we are rich materially but rather whether we are rich in faith.
THEIR BEHAVIOR – verses 6-7:
They had dishonored the poor man and given precedence to the rich who had: 1.) oppressed them; 2.) personally dragged them into court; 3.) blasphemed the fair name by which they were called.
THE SECOND GREATEST COMMAND – verses 8-10:
Love demands that we treat other people fairly – especially as it pertains to teaching them the Gospel and accepting them, then, on equal grounds as brothers and sisters in Christ. Love motivates me to do what is in the best interest of the other person regardless of what impact it has on me. Thus, I would preach the Truth to those who are lost. I would want them to do the same with me if I were lost in sin.
Because God is not partial and because He commands us: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15), thus we are going to share the gospel with the lost of other nations.
–Paul Holland
