A Christianity That Works

Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 09, March 16, 2008

Part VI “How To Treat People Right”

Read James 2:1-13

Your biggest problems and mine, are people problems - getting along with other people. To dwell above with those you love, that will be a glory. But to dwell below, with those we know, that's another story.

James gives us the principle, the problem and the application.
James 2:1 “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.” Whenever James starts out with “my brothers” he's getting ready to nail you. Count on it!

I. THE PRINCIPLE
Favoritism: prejudice, partiality.
The New English Bible calls it “snobbery”. “Never treat anybody in a different way according to their outward appearance.” (Good News Bible)

Common areas of discrimination
Appearance: We judge people on their appearance, how they look and dress. Even Christians get caught up in this dress for power, dress for success. People seemed to be concerned with what's in and what's out, what's hot and what's not.

Ancestry: We judge people according to their race, nationality and ethnic background. Church goers judge according to their denominations…..ouch!

Age: You're too young or too old.

Achievement: Society gushes over winners. Success and status are key.

Affluence: This is the area that James picks out above the others - Economic distinction.

James 2:2 “Suppose a man comes to your meeting wearing gold rings and fine clothes and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 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 over there’ or ‘Sit on the floor at my feet’, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
James doesn't criticize the guy for being wealthy; he criticizes the members for being partial to him. The usher takes the rich guy to the front row and seats him. “Here, take this nice place. We want everybody to know you're here. We want to take care of every one of your needs.” Then he says to the poor man, “You can stand over there in a corner or you can sit on the floor.”

Literally, in the Greek it's “under my footstool”. It's the ultimate putdown. He treats him carelessly.

James says there are three problems with favoritism.
1. Favoritism is unchristian
If you want to be like Jesus you can't play favorites. This word "favoritism" is used only three other times in the Bible. Each of those refers to God and it says, “God does not play favorites.” Romans 2:11
Jesus treated everybody with dignity.

Peter had to learn this lesson before he went to Cornelius. God loves everybody. If there is one place in the world where there shouldn't be any kind of discrimination, it ought to be in the church. There is discrimination everywhere else in the world, but there ought to be one place no matter who you are or what your background is, that you're welcome.

2. Favoritism is unreasonable
In James 2:5-7 he says it's illogical, it doesn't make sense. “Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom?”

He's not saying that it's good to be poor and bad to be rich. Nor is he saying that only the poor will be saved.
· Your salvation isn't based on your savings account?
· Wealth in itself does not deserve any special treatment.
· Your value is not based on your valuables.
· Don't confuse your net worth with your self-worth.
James says, why cater to the rich? “Are not the rich exploiting you?” In New Testament times it was the Roman nobility who were feeding the Christians to the lions. It was the upper crust (a bunch of crumbs held together by their own dough) that were persecuting the Christians, judging and insulting the Christians, throwing them to the lions.

3. Favoritism is unchristian
Showing favoritism is unchristian and unreasonable, however, James says the primary reason you shouldn't show favoritism is that it is unloving. “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’, you're doing right.”

How we relate to other people shows how much we really love God. I John 4:20 “If a man says he loves God and hates his brother he's lying. How can you love God whom you haven't seen if you don't love your brother whom you have seen?”

How I relate to you proves how much I love God.

“If you show favoritism you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

· How many laws do you have to break to be a lawbreaker?
· How many crimes do you have to commit to be a criminal?
· How many links do you have to break to break a chain?

You may think favoritism is just a small sin, but James says, if you break one part of God's rule, you’re guilty of breaking it all.

James 2:12 “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom because judgment without mercy will not be shown to anyone who has been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

· Love treats people with mercy.
· Love gives people what they need, not what they deserve.

How do you treat people?

THE PRESCRIPTION: Typically in analyzing reasons for growth in a church, the focus has been on such factors as pastoral leadership, attractiveness of facilities, location, liberal or conservative theology, evangelical fervor. But there is increasing evidence that none of these influences a church's growth or decline as significantly as how much love and acceptance people experience when they attend.

You love them into the kingdom of heaven.
How do you do that?

Three steps:
1. Accept everybody
There's a big difference between acceptance and approval. You can accept somebody without approving of his lifestyle. “Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

That's a start - acceptance.

At the Gathering Place, we are trying to cultivate an attitude of acceptance. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints. If you're perfect, you don't belong here.

This is a church where people are growing. This is a church for people who don't have it all together.

It doesn't matter where you've been, it matters where you are now.

This is a church that believes that Jesus really lived, that He really died on the cross and that He really rose again on the third day. We cannot and will not water down that message. But in the non-essentials we have liberty and in all things we have charity.

If we can't learn to get along together here on
the earth, what makes us think we'll get
along together in heaven?

2. Appreciate everybody
This goes further than acceptance.
Philippians 2:35 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others.”

Appreciate everybody. Find something you can like, not just accept. Tell them so. With some people, this may require a little creativity. Maybe you just need to value their uniqueness.

3. Affirm everybody
Give everybody a lift whenever possible.
I Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

When people stumble, don't criticize, sympathize. Be an encourager not a condemner. Treat people like you would like to be treated. Give a welcome handshake, a smile. The ministry of greeters in church is crucial. You only have one chance to make a first impression.

The church that accepts, appreciates and affirms people is the church that God blesses.

Absolutely nothing can stop the church that's filled with love. It doesn't happen accidentally. It requires an all out effort by each of us. Everybody needs to contribute.

Would people come back to this church
because of you?
Together we need to make a commitment that this church will receive people unconditionally.
· We don't expect people to act like believers until they are believers.
· Love draws outside people in.

I want our church to have a reputation for love.

I believe that God is just waiting for a church that will love people unconditionally. He can use that kind of church to spark a spiritual awakening in this valley that all the forces of hell can not stop. It would change the climate of this community for Christ. Nothing can stop a loving church.

It was said of the New Testament church, “See how they love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples that you love each other.”