Living Faith: Loving Our Neighbor

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This sermon is the fourth message in a series of sermons on the New Testament book of James. The sermon, based on James 2:1-13 emphasizes the need for believers to practice their faith by avoiding the sin of partiality or showing favoritism. In other words, they should treat others the same way they would want to be treated.

Written Excerpts:

James 2:8 ^(NKJV) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;

Introduction:

Most of you are aware by now that we have started a series of sermons on the book of James, which is located near the end of the New Testament. Today’s message is based on the first half of chapter two and it deals with the important issue of how we treat one another as human beings.

I think we could introduce the message by quoting two well-known teachings of Jesus. The first is when Jesus responded to a question about the greatest commandment with the answer: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37) Jesus then continued, And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:39)

Luke records a follow-up question from the man who asked, “Who is my neighbor?” In response, Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, which most of us already know. (It’s recorded in Luke 10.) This is considered one of the classic texts regarding the way that Christians should treat their fellowman. Another classic text is often called the golden rule. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

The verses we are looking at in James today deal with a subject that is closely related to these lessons from Jesus. In fact, James quotes the very same text from the OT that Jesus was quoting when He called it the second greatest commandment given to us by God. As I have stated before, James is explaining the fact that one’s faith should influence his/her daily conduct. Therefore, his letter is full of practical admonitions, many of which are issued as commands; imperative verbs.

As I prepared the message for today covering the first half of chapter two, I chose the following title, “Living Faith: Loving Our Neighbor.”

There are a number of different ways we can demonstrate love for our neighbor or fail to demonstrate love. James uses a specific example here as he urges his readers to avoid the sin of partiality or favoritism which is often a product of prejudice.

Let us take a look at what he has to say regarding this vital issue.

III.   Living Faith: Loving Our Neighbor (2:1-13)

James concurs with the messages we find in other places in the NT. If we are serious about living like true followers of Jesus, then we must be loving to those who live around us. 

A.  Neighborly love avoids partiality. (vv. 1-9)

Love can be demonstrated by things we do and by things we avoid doing. In this particular message by James he is focusing on one of the things we should avoid doing if we are going to demonstrate genuine Christian love.

1. Partiality is forbidden for believers. (1)

Here again we have an imperative verb from James. James hasn’t “heard” that it is not acceptable to tell people how to live their lives! He repeatedly and emphatically tells us just how it is. If you want to be a genuine follower of Jesus, then this is how you must live.

“respect of persons” (KJV); “partiality” (NKJV, et. al)

(Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) 1. In the OT one finds various phrases that express respectful greeting of reception, e.g., bowing the face, lifting up the face. Out of these arises the idea of showing preference or partiality to certain people. God in contrast respects the face of no one (Dt. 10:17). Deut. 10:17 (NKJV) For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
2. Following the OT, the NT has different expressions for showing respect of persons, e.g., in Mark 12:14; Luke 12:21; Jude 16. God, however, shows no partiality (Gal. 2:6 ^(NKJV) But from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.).

To express this thought the noun prosōpolēmpsía is coined (Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; Jms. 2:1). In the judgment Jews and Gentiles are treated alike. Over both employers and employees is a Lord who shows partiality to neither. Sinners will be repaid with no respect of persons. God opens salvation to the Gentiles too (Acts 10:34). Believers must be like God in their treatment of one another, not favoring the rich or despising the poor (Jms. 2:1). To show partiality is to commit sin and to fall under conviction by the law (2:9).

The command is clear and emphatic. Do not show favoritism or prejudice (pre-judge based on outward appearance such as: economic status, ethnicity, etc.).

2. Partiality is hypothetically illustrated. (2-4)

James describes a hypothetical situation that may arise in their synagogue/assembly/church. The wealthy-appearing man is treated with respect, while the poor-appearing man is treated with disdain.

One of the frequent techniques utilized by James is rhetorical questions. This is such an example. 

If this happens, the people showing prejudice are defined as… “judges of evil thoughts” (KJV); “judges with evil thoughts” (NKJV).

(Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) Lev. 19:15, which James probably had in mind as he wrote this passage, condemns partiality in the context of judging. Lev. 19:15 ^(NKJV) You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. It is perhaps this association that leads James further to characterize those who show partiality as judges with evil thoughts. Not only have they arrogated to themselves the role of judges; worse, they render their decision according to un-Christian, worldly standards.

3. Partiality is inconsistent with life experiences. (5-7)

a. This attitude/practice is inconsistent with God’s actions.

“hearken” / “listen” – impv. Verb

The people that God has chosen are poor in relation to this world’s goods, but they are rich in faith. Many times, people who strive to be rich end up compromising their faith in order to do so. (There are exceptions.)

b. This attitude/practice is inconsistent with actions of wealthy people.

In all probability, many of these believers were poor and had suffered from the inconsiderate actions of the wealthy. So, why would they want to act this way toward other believers?

c. A common practice of the oppressive wealthy is blaspheming the name of God.

4. Partiality is inconsistent with the law of love. (8-9)

v. 8 – James is basically saying that anyone who practices the “royal” law (aka, 2^nd greatest commandment) is doing what is right and good.

v. 9 – But, if a person demonstrates the attitude of favoritism and partiality, then that person has violated the royal law and is guilty as a transgressor.

B.  Neighborly love fulfills God’s law. (vv. 10-13)

After making a reference to the “royal law” – the command to love your neighbor as yourself – James goes on to explain that a violation of any law is a violation of all the law.

1. God’s law is all-encompassing. (10-11)

James emphasizes the truth that a lawbreaker is a lawbreaker whether one law is violated, or multiple laws are violated.

(D.E. Hiebert) Our obedience to God cannot be on a selective basis… God’s will is not fragmentary; the entire Law is the expression of His will for His people; it constitutes a grand unity…. To violate any part of the God-given Law is an offense against the Divine Lawgiver.

We humans are often guilty of comparing ourselves among ourselves. We tend to categorize our sins and look at ourselves as “not as bad as…”

2. God’s law promotes love. (12-13)

If we strive to live according to God’s law, it motivates us to act in loving ways to others regardless of social status.

v. 12, “so live and so do” – present imperative tense, i.e. commands to be continually practiced.

Keep on living like people who know they are being judged by the law of liberty.

“law of liberty” – (Tyndale NT Commentaries) To use James’ own description, this law is an ‘implanted word’, ‘written on the heart’, that has the power to save us (Jas 1:21).

v. 13 - This verse is basically echoing the words of Jesus, Matthew 7:1-2 ^(KJV) Judge not, that ye be not judged. ² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

Conclusion:

In our study today we have been talking about living out our faith in practical ways. One of the ways we do that is by demonstrating loving attitudes and behaviors towards others. We practice the Golden Rule and we avoid the terrible sin of showing favoritism and partiality. We don’t judge people on the basis of social status, or skin color, or any other outward appearances.

It is entirely fitting for us to be reminded of this theme on a Sunday that we are sharing the sacrament of communion. Communion is all about unity and oneness in the body of Christ because we all partake of the same blood that saves us from sin. We all spiritually participate in the body and blood of Jesus regardless of where we come from or how high/low we are on the economic/social ladder.

Before we share the emblems of communion, let us sing the hymn listed in the bulletin: The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power