August 18
Favorites
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ––James 2:8-9
One of the reasons I like the Book of James so much is that the man absolutely did not pull his punches. Arguably one of the most debated verses in the New Testament is James 2:17 (and relatedly, verse 20), which tells us that faith without works is dead. I’ve heard that verse twisted in some very interesting ways, and used to justify a works-based faith. Of course, James was simply pointing out that action follows belief: If we are genuinely born again in Christ, the natural outflow of that will be good works (helping others). It’s as natural and predictable as breathing.
I’d encourage you, however, to not just stop at James 2:17, but instead, read the entire chapter. What typically happens is that we skip the first half and focus on the second regarding the importance of faith accompanied by works. In fact, the entire first twelve verses deal with a topic that affects us all: favoritism.
The bottom line is that God hates favoritism—the act of giving special attention or showing partiality toward someone. James drives it home:
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ––James 2:3-4
If anyone ever asks you how Christianity is different from the world, these verses are a good example. As we look around at our culture today, favoritism abounds. Celebrities are worshipped, leaders are put on pedestals, and the wealthy are envied. But man of God, the radical truth of the Gospel is that favoritism has no place in the Kingdom. God doesn’t play favorites, and He’s no respecter of persons. His Kingdom is about the opposite of favoritism, as Jesus reveals when He says that God “so loved the world,” not “so loved a few select people.” As He cares about us, so we care for others. Not selectively, but unconditionally.
The thing about favoritism is that it can sneak up on you. The employee who shares a passion for your hobbies? Forming a small group based on people who look and vote like you? To some extent, we all succumb to choosing favorites. Like so many habits and inclinations in this fallen world, our default is the flesh. So yes, we need to consciously and consistently fight favoritism in our personal and professional lives.
God hates favoritism because His Kingdom is not based on who we are or what we do; it’s based on Whose we are and what He did. The opposite of fleshly favoritism is godly acceptance—despite our warts and defects, God’s grace washes us and cleanses us. It’s free, and it’s for everyone who embraces the Son.
Father, thank You that my entrance into Heaven is not based on my deeds or talents, but rather upon Your invitation to embrace and follow Jesus. I am so thankful that You don’t play favorites!