Memory Verse: “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5)
Scripture Reading: James 2:1-13 / Acts 13:38-50
Introduction: The Father in Heaven is a great Leveler. He brings up the poor and under-privileged and reduces the rich so that they both receive equally of all the benefits. Naaman was reduced by successive stages until he was completely obedient. As you recall, he was a leper and his story begins in a most unlikely way. If a learned doctor from a distant land had come with a cure for leprosy this would have been one thing, but here is a young girl, a slave to his wife, telling him how to be healed. So, his first step was to take the advice of a woman and a very young woman at that. The next step down was to take the dirty road to Israel, a Nation they despised and were always fussing with. After arriving, he went to the King who was dismayed because he hadn’t been having much to do with Elisha and knew nothing of healing leprosy himself. Once more Naaman, the general of the Syrian army, had to humble himself as he and his retinue went down across the “tracks.” And again Naaman stepped down. You will notice that the steps were getting progressively longer and that when Elisha failed to give him the courtesy of coming to the door but rather sending his servant, it was too much. Wiser heads prevailed and he took the last painful step and dipped seven times in the Jordan. It was a blessed day when God leveled him.
If we esteem or cater to a person because of their position or wealth, this is of the “flesh,” and somehow God has made no provision whereby we can make provision for the “flesh.”
Why is discrimination so revolting to God? Let’s see if it isn’t revolting to us. Perhaps you have known a store clerk who always thanked you for your purchases when you were “dressed up” but never when you had work clothes on; or maybe there was a business man who had long called you by your first name but when you were instrumental in asking for a bid, which would mean quite a profit to him, he began calling you Mr. So-and-So. When he failed to get the contract he resumes calling you by your first name. If such shallow and superficial ethics stink in our nostrils, what must it be to the Lord?
Sin is violation of God’s righteousness; and God does not allow us to have selective obedience. Those who love Him will serve Him, and endure the testing of their faith, and will inherit the kingdom. If God shows grace and mercy without discrimination, so should we!
Lesson Questions:
- What instruction does James give his brethren concerning the “respect of persons” while holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ? James 2:1.
- What illustrations does James give of such discrimination? James 2:2-3. Discuss other ways discrimination may be shown.
- What other work does James use to designate this discrimination and what does this lead someone to become? James 2:4. What does Jesus say of judging? John 7:24; Matthew 7:1-2.
- Who are the heirs of the kingdom and who has chosen them? James 2:5; Luke 6:20; Luke 12:32.
- Of what does James accuse his brethren and what does he say that the rich had done to the church? James 2:6-7; Acts 13:45. Define blaspheme.
- What is the “royal law” of which James speaks? James 2:8. What did Jesus say concerning this law? Matthew 22:35-40.
- Do those who show “respect to persons” keep this royal law? James 2:9. What does James call them? Can we discriminate and still keep what is called the “Golden Rule?” Matthew 7:12.
- Have we the right to decide which of God’s commandments we should keep and which we may break? James 2:10-13; Galatians 3:21-26.
- What is transgression of the law said to be? 1 John 3:4, 8-11.
- Do we then as Christians discriminate against our own nature? 1 John 3:10-11, 18-24.