it's serious business...

james is saying, people think favoritism is such a small sin but he says, if you break GOD’s rule, you break GOD’s rule.  be careful, it’s serious business.

james 2.11 (niv),  for who said, “do not commit adultery” also said, “do not murder”.  if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

what is he saying?  he is illustrating his point about being unloving.  if i come to your house and say, “i really respect you a whole lot.  the way i’m going to prove how much i love you is i’m not going to commit adultery with your wife.  however, i reserve the right if you tick me off i’ll murder you.”

are you going to thank me for that?  will you appreciate my love?  of course not, how absurd.  it’s ridiculous.  “i don't smoke or cuss or chew or run around with girls who do.  what does GOD care about if i’m partial to certain kinds of people?”  no.  GOD says it’s all the same; it’s all important.

james 1.12 (niv), speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom because judgment without mercy will not be shone to anyone who has not been merciful.  mercy triumphs over judgment.  love treats people with mercy.  love gives people what they need, not what they deserve. 

james here is probably thinking about his half brother JESUS who said in the sermon on the mount, blessed is the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

that’s the problem.  it’s unCHRISTian, it’s unreasonable, it’s unloving to show favoritism – to be a snob.

just a thought from the front porch…