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"The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ..."

Text: James 2:1

PRACTICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF FAITH

James adopted a very practical approach in his writing. He was always candid and clear about the application of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE PROBLEM OF PARTIALITY

The problem of being partial was a problem that had to be addressed forthrightly.

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
James 2:1

1. “The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ”

a) The faith that the Lord Jesus Christ taught.

b) This is a reference to the body of truth that was well captured in the Four Gospels.

2. The Lord Jesus Christ was well and truly honoured by James

a) He was regarded as “The Lord of glory”.

b) Thus, the faith that He taught must also be well regarded.

3. “Do not hold… with partiality”

a) James decried partiality.

b) Partiality results in: –

i) Wrongful favouritism of some.

ii) Wrongful disdain of some others.

THE ISSUE BROUGHT OUT

James highlighted this problem by giving an illustration. The hypothetical situation serves to describe the danger of partiality.

“For if there should come into your assembly a man
with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also
come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention
to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him,
‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man,
‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you
not shown partiality among yourselves, and become
judges with evil thought?”
James 2:2-4

1. The rich

He is fawned upon.

2. The poor

He is despised.

3. This display of partiality is to be frowned upon! It reflects poorly on the church community! The people who practise such partiality are called “judges with evil thought!”