We have been working our way through the Book of James during our Sunday morning services for several weeks. I have taken note of a few things.
James was writing to people who were living in extremely difficult circumstances. While they are trying to get their lives back together James spends little time coddling them; but rather proceeds to speak hard truth to them. The kind of truth that brings conviction and maturity when the hearers are willing to apply it.
It was not a surprise that wisdom is a continual theme throughout the letter, but the repeated appearance of warnings against favoritism has been.
Oh sure, we are all familiar with the admonition not to treat the wealthy differently than the poor but the reappearance at the end of chapter 3 was less expected.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18
This passage gives a detailed and powerful description of how we operate when we are functioning in godly wisdom. James swings back and forth between characteristics that should be sought after and those that should be fastidiously avoided.
The majority of these characteristics are readily visible, both to our own eyes and those who are watching. Favoritism and sincerity are two that are a bit more tricky. They often operate beneath the surface. These two are mutually exclusive characteristics. It is not possible to exercise favoritism and sincerity simultaneously.
Favoritism often is thought of as knowingly giving an advantage to someone who has not earned or deserved it. The damage this causes is often not visible for some time. The skills and experience gained by climbing a ladder rather than being lifted to the top are often incomplete and sometimes the missing pieces can be devastating.
There is another less considered side to favoritism. Most of us have likely experienced this aspect at one time in our lives. From losing our spot on the starting team to the less skilled coach’s child, to unfairly being overlooked for a promotion in order to advance someone less qualified, the disappointment is real.
These experiences can be a true test of our spiritual maturity. While we want to cry “foul”, we can choose to trust that even in the disappointment, God is still working for our good. Hopefully our personal run-ins with the cruelty of favoritism will keep us as far away from it as possible in our own decisions.
While avoiding favoritism we are to embrace sincerity. Sincerity is free from pretense and hypocrisy. Sincerity has no personal agenda whereas favoritism is manipulation disguised as impartiality.
This gets straight to the actual condition of our own hearts. Appearance is not enough.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9
The word translated “hate” here can also mean abhor or have a horror of. We are to totally avoid and be repulsed by anything that is wrong.
Perhaps one of the reasons James is adamant about this is that our visible witness as a follower of Jesus is greatly impacted by our behavior. Humans generally share a strong desire for fairness. Studies show that even very young children recognize and prefer fairness. It appears to be a reason based need of the human brain.
There was some truth hidden in the serpents seduction of Adam and Eve. Your eyes will be opened, knowing both good and evil. Genesis 3:5
This shared trait of humanity flies in the face of favoritism. Those standing on the sidelines recognize it for what it is and have a natural aversion to the inequity. The damage to our Christian witness is obvious when we consider it from this standpoint.
While favoritism repels, sincerity draws like an almost irresistible magnet. Sincerity signals an alignment of what we say and what we do.
As children of God sincerity is often revealed in honesty and vulnerability. When we allow others to glimpse our personal struggles rather than tarnish our influence, it expands it. The opportunity to model trust in God, rather than the need to unduly influence an outcome, shows the depth of our relationship with Him.
When we are honest with ourselves, we realize that our very being depends on the faithfulness of God. The need to control our surroundings demonstrates our wavering trust.
A right-minded introspection of our hearts and motives is always in line. Early detection saves future heartache.
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12
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