Fulfilling The Royal Law
James 2:1-13
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“The faith”– Objective sense.Acts 13:4-12; Gal. 1:11, 23The Word Of God = The Faith = The Teaching (Doctrine KJV) = The Gospel
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
“The faith”– Objective sense.“One faith”Eph. 4:5; Gal. 3:23-24“The faith”may be preached. Rom. 10:8; Gal. 1:23
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
“The faith”may be obeyed. Acts 6:7;Rom. 1:5; Rom. 16:26We may stand in“the faith.”1 Cor. 16:13We may continue in“the faith.”Col. 1:23We may strive (or contend) for“the faith.”Phil. 1:27; Jude 3
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
“My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, (the Lord) of glory,with respect of persons.”(ASV). “Partiality” (NKJV) ; “Personal favoritism” (NASV); “Don’t show favoritism” (NIV)[Prosoopoleempsiais– “literally to lift up the face (countenance), meaning ‘to regard with favor,’ as in Mal. 1:8. If you should offer blind, lame or sick animals to your governor, will he be pleased and accept you favorably?”(James Cooper,Faith On Trial)
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
Impartiality is a characteristic of Godand Jesus.Luke 20:21“And they asked him, saying, Teacher, we know that thousayestandteachestrightly, andacceptestnot the person (of any),but of a truthteachestthe way of God:”Acts 10:34“Of a truth I perceive that God isno respecter of persons:”Gal 2:6“But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, itmakethno matter to me: Godacceptethnot man's person).”
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
Impartiality is a characteristic of God and Jesus.1 Pet 1:17“And if ye call on him as Father, whowithout respect of personsjudgethaccording to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:”Rom 2:10-11“but glory and honor and peace to every man thatworkethgood, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there isno respect of persons with God.”Eph 6:9“knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there isno respect of personswith him.”
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
They had demonstrated partiality:(Jms. 2:4-6)“Made distinctions”“Become judges with evil thoughts”“Dishonored the poor man…”
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
How is favoritism shown?Jms. 2:2-3Jews & Gentiles. Acts 11; 15; Gal. 2, 3Rich & Poor.Jms. 2Background.Lk. 15Occupation, friends & standing.Jno. 12
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
Their error: “Become judges WITH evil thoughts.”Jms2:4Judged on the basis of outward appearance.(cf. Mt. 7:1;Jno.7:24)Evil judging comes from evil hearts.Mt. 12:24-37Evil hearts prevented them from seeing the power of God. Mt. 12:28Cf. Apostles judged because they did not follow tradition… Mt. 15:1-20
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
The “unlikely” just may listen & obey.Prejudice– Woman at the well.Jno. 4Religious/Gentile–Cornelius. Acts 10Non-Religious–Simon. Acts 8:9-13Worldly–Corinthians.Acts 18:8;1 Cor. 6:9-11Ignorant–Jews. Acts 2:23; 3:17Persecutor–Saul. Acts 8:3; 9:1-2;1 Tim. 1:15Political–Jailor. Acts 16:31-33
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“The Faith”Does Not Allow FavoritismJames 2:1
The Social Argument. James 2:5-7Poor have the gospel preached unto them.Mt. 11:5Elihuobserved of God:“Thatrespectethnot the persons of princes, Norregardeththe rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands” Job 34:19God has chosen“the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to them that love him.”Jms. 2:5
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Two Arguments Against Partiality
The Social Argument. James 2:5-7Thepoorof this world are…Chosen of God. Cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-29Rich in faith. Cf. Rev. 2:9Heirs of the kingdom. Cf. Mt. 5:3; 11:5BUTyouhavedishonoredthem.Jms. 2:6
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Two Arguments Against Partiality
The Social Argument. James 2:5-7Therichof this world…Oppress you. Cf. Acts 4:1-3Drag you into court. Cf. Acts 8:3Blaspheme the name by which ye are called.Cf. Acts 4:12BUTyouhavehonoredthem.Jms. 2:6
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Two Arguments Against Partiality
The Moral Argument:James 2:8“Thoushaltlove thy neighbor as thyself”Cf. Lev. 19:18Royal law --basilikós:“of or belonging to a king, kingly, royal, regal; of a man, the officer or minister of a prince, a courtier: John 4:46,49 befitting or worthy of a king”(Thayer)Received of the sanction of our king, Jesus Christ.Cf. Mt. 22:36-40;Illustrated with the good Samaritan.Lk. 10:26-37Demands overlooking outward distinctions!
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Two Arguments Against Partiality
Judgment must be righteous.“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thoushaltnot respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousnessshaltthou judge thy neighbor.” Lev. 19:15
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Showing Partiality Is SinfulJames 2:9
Partiality violates the law, therefore sinful. 1Jno. 3:4Makes one a lawbreaker.Jms. 1:10-11;Cf. Gal. 3:10“To violate the law at any one point is not to violate one commandment only; it is to violate the will of God, and to contradict the character of God.”(Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
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Showing Partiality Is SinfulJames 2:9
Brotherly love & mercy to be exercised.James 2:12 “Sospeak ye, andso do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.”
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Showing Partiality Is SinfulJames 2:9
Brotherly love & mercy to be exercised.James 2:13 “For judgment (is) without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercygloriethagainst judgment.”Matt 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”Matt 9:11-13We need to learn what this means:“I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”Eph. 2:2-4 God is rich in mercy;cf. Paul. 1 Tim. 1:1:13-16Luke 15 Example of Jesus.
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Showing Partiality Is SinfulJames 2:9
Do you“fulfill the royal law”in all your relationships?The gospel is for all. Mt. 28:19ff
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Conclusion:
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