“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 2:1 NLT
Meddling in other’s business, that’s just what Church leaders and under-shepherds do. God gave the Church these leaders: Apostles, Presbyters, Bishops, Elders, and Pastor-Teachers. So you can blame (or thank) Him for us getting into your personal space!
Was James an Apostle? Remember there were a few James’ in the New Testament, two of them (big James and little James) were disciples, followers of Jesus and given the authority and title “Sent Ones,” or Apostles. The author of the book of James was James, the half-brother of Jesus, who was an early church leader ( Acts 15:13 ). This James did not fully believe that Jesus is the Messiah until after the resurrection.
James is full of passion and was extremely knowledgeable of Jewish Law and culture. He writes with a direct, no nonsense style, thus the feeling that James would be in our face about several commands that Jesus spoke. This question of favoring is very valid even today.
How can we claim faith and have preferences of some people over others? Answer: because we are human. Left to our own ways of thinking and behaving, this would make sense to ONLY spend time with those who benefit us.
Why fly with a flock that’s not my feather?
Sure, James writes about how easy it is to be drawn to the rich because they’ve got cool swag and swagger. But that’s just one example of our flockability. How about popularity, intelligence, connections, social status and such? I have a principle I live by. I don’t want to OWN a boat, but I do want to have friends who do! Same goes for the cabin, club 33, and cruise points.
James says something profound in this spiritual slap in the face. “Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”
Whoa! James had been listening to Jesus’ sermon series on neighboring. James, “do you mean my “neighbors” aren’t those I self-define as just my favorites?” James, “are you saying that if I only hangout with my feather-flocking friends, I’m sinning?” I knew this neighboring thing wasn’t as easy as it sounds. James makes it clear that it’s not that I only favor the friends that benefit me, but that I dis-favor those who do not benefit me – thus, the poor, the disenfranchised, the weak or lonely outliers.
Does God know that this group James defines as poor or dressed in dirty clothes are HARD to love? Yes. It’s not their lack of money or their appearance that makes it hard. It’s the way they have been treated and lived a life of pain and emotional dis-attachment for so long there is little hope in their eyes.
I spoke with a man named Ernie while pumping gas a while back. He was hunched over, filthy with layers of dirt on his wrinkled face with a mouthful of useless crooked teeth. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes. I had to ask him to look at me. I asked him what he needed and how I could pray for him. Of course he wanted money, he needed money, but that’s not what he told me. He was worried about his wife’s health and because he had so many physical issues, he worried that he could not be of any help to her. I had the honor of praying for him and his wife while standing outside a gas station. I prayed for healing, for peace, for wisdom to be given to them. That day Ernie was my neighbor. That day I got to favor him over all the friends I have who may benefit me. And yes, I gave him some money, but he wanted and needed to be seen and loved far more than just the cash. Ernie’s not in my feather-flock and I am thankful that God brought him to me so I could favor him!
Prayer
Dad,
Even though some don’t know this about me, but I remember when I was an outcast. I had the reputation of being the adopted boy with divorced parents and the alcoholic father. I was quiet and kept to myself, but I also had some extraordinary friends from “intact” families. They took me in and made me feel normal, even loved. I’ll never forget their kindness and that helps me be thankful and keeps me grounded to being a good neighbor as well. I want to see people as you see them. I want to look in the eyes of folks like Ernie and see your beautiful face. I want to love even as I have been loved. Thank you for my own origin story that teaches me to remember and live differently because of it.