The Heart of a Bigot

James 2

James tackles favoritism and partiality in the first portion of chapter two revealing it as sinful, shallow, and selfish.  Some of the people in the churches addressed by James where showing “respect of persons.”  They were partial to the rich and influential, but they treated the poor with contempt and disrespect. This is the same type of partiality, or favoritism found in many Christian circles today.  Whenever a person of physical beauty, high fashion, a certain race, occupation, social position, or material wealth receive preferential treatment it is inequality, injustice, and sin.  Certainly it is prevalent in our society at large, but it has strong inroads into western Christianity.  It is not an overstatement to say that the rich and powerful ‘run’ many churches or holds the positions of influence and control.

But a good question worth pondering at this point is why does discrimination seem to have a strong hold in the hearts of people?  Sometimes it’s because different people make us uncomfortable and uncertain of our responsibilities towards them.  So fear is perhaps the first reason—we fear what we don’t understand.  Others may practice favoritism because they identify with the rich and powerful or want to belong with the successful and not the people perceived as failures.  Therefore selfishness is a strong compulsion in the heart of the person who wants to use these ‘connections’ for personal advantage or gain.

But, James points out how an impartial heart is sitting in judgment over “evil thoughts” or worldly criteria and sinful standards.  He also highlights the fact that God treats the poor and misfortunate people with acceptance and blessing.  It can also be understood from James reasoning that the rich were characteristically oppressive toward the poor and actually slandered the exalted name of Christ.  Ironically, the churches were honoring the peoples who dishonored them and blaspheme their Lord!

James provides a solid solution to shallow judgments of people.  A divine remedy for prejudiced hearts enslaved to disrespecting others for such superficial reasons.  James called it “the royal law.”  This is the King’s command to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Only godly love can cast out fears and reservations and turn the heart from selfish motives to minister to the needs of others!  James tells us that violating the law of love is as violent as transgressing the commandments of God.  There must be submission to the King and His royal law! God wants His people to live according to the “law of liberty.” This involves showing mercy and kindness towards people regardless of their social or financial station in life.  The believer’s walk and talk are to be marked by impartiality, equality, and fairness towards all people.  This can only be achieved by the love of God in our own hearts by the power of Christ. 

Secondly, James addresses the fact that genuine saving faith will produce a lifestyle of good works, service, and active obedience to the Lord.  A false faith is unprofitable—it is not dynamic animating and motivating.  No, a false faith is content with well wishing, but fails to engage people where the needs are to alleviate the suffering.  This false faith may even agree whole-heartedly with church creeds or doctrinal belief systems, but it must be regarded as dead because it does not result in action.

True faith can be seen in the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, and the assistance Rahab gave to Joshua’s spies.  Faith is what motivated them and the only explanation for their actions. Abraham willingly obeyed God regardless of the consequences, and Rahab helped the messengers of God and placed her hope in Him.  Both of them regarded the will of God above all else and aligned themselves with it through active participation. Both of them possessed true faith because their actions were profitable and evident.  Their faith was made visible through their activity. Certainly a sinner is saved by the grace of God through a personal act of trust—faith—but such belief, true faith, will produce a lifestyle of activities which fulfill the very desires of God. 

Love and faith go hand in hand in the Scriptures as they appear hear in James chapter two.  They should also complement each other in the Christian experience.  The life of authentic faith should be marked by love, and the loving soul should be guided by faith. As a result of these two graces there will be hope.  Thus, we have “faith, hope, charity” and the greatest among these three is love.