The Sin of Prejudice & Partiality
James 2:1–13
“Daniel pleaded with the LORD in prayer and fasting because he understood that Jerusalem would suffer desolation for 70 years for the sins of his generation and the generations of his forefathers.
Most Americans live in a “now only” mentality. But the historic cultures of the world represent a radical alternative to this thinking and help us understand the biblical principle of generational sin. The Chinese, for example, tend to take a long look at their history. They see their own lives integrally linked to their national ethnic history spanning millennia.
Not only do we tend to be ignorant of the biblical principle (of generational sin) involved here, but we also just don’t like it.
To our highly individualistic way of thinking, it doesn’t seem fair. But God is not bound by our sense of fairness, and the biblical principle stands.
Less than a century-and-a-half ago, the forefathers of our contemporary black brothers and sisters were being treated as subhuman animals, property to be chained and whipped, bought and sold, by many of our white forefathers. Have we in the church ever repented of that sin to any significant extent? No, we have not. We’ve stood against a lot of other social evils, but we have not stood against racism and called it what it is: sin! We have been divided by racism, staying silent, acting with, at best, only token resistance.
We should feel conviction deep in our souls for this sin. The damage is incalculable. The toll is immeasurable. We should drop to our knees before God Almighty in repentance.” - Bill McCartney, former coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, and founder of Promise Keepers
1. Prejudice and Partiality Ignore God’s Character
James 2:1 (ESV)
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
Deuteronomy 10:17 (ESV)
For the LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
1st God is not partial when it comes to salvation
Acts 10:34–35 (ESV)
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
2nd God is not partial when it comes to judgment
Romans 2:9–11 (ESV)
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
11 For God shows no partiality.
Colossians 3:25 (ESV)
For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
2. Prejudice and Partiality Ignore God’s Commands
James 2:1a (ESV)
My brothers, show no partiality…
James 2:1 (NLT)
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
James 2:1a (ESV)
My brothers, show no partiality…
Acts 17:26 (ESV)
And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
James 2:8 (ESV)
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
James 2:9 (ESV)
But if you show partiality [prejudice], you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James 2:10–11 (ESV)
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
3. Prejudice and Partiality Ignore God’s Coming Judgment
2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
James 2:12 (ESV)
So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
James 2:13 (NLT)
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
1st Recognize: call prejudice what it is: Sin
James 2:9 (ESV)
But if you show partiality [prejudice], you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
2nd Repent: Turn from racism in your past or present
3rd Reach: Reach out to people who don't look like you and build real relationships
4th Resist: Stand against the devil's strategy of division and suspicion
5th Rely: Ask the Holy Spirit to restrain your instincts and emotions
Acts 10:28 (ESV)
And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV)
So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
"God, help me to see people and to love people like you see people and love people."
