Show No Partiality

James 2:1-13 This morning we turn to chapter 2 and find another characteristic of saving faith. It does not show partiality. When I first read this chapter, I wasn’t quite sure why this was here. That is not to say we shouldn’t discourage partiality. It just doesn’t seem up to the same level of concern of some of James’ other instructions. Caring for widows and orphans, for example, is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. These are people who had no one to protect and provide. Keeping yourself “unstained from the world” is another general instruction that hits everyone. But partiality? Of course we don’t want to do it, but what is the big deal? As I continued to think about it, it hit me. James exhortation about partiality hits at the core of the gospel. It is critical to understanding saving faith. Listen to how he opens the passage: My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (James 2:1) James sets the stage to show that there is a deep connection between faith and showing no partiality.