“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” -James 2:8,9.
Let this phrase from James 2:9 sink into you; “If ye have respect to persons, ye commit SIN.” That is a very weighty statement, isn't it? As Christians, we should consider these words carefully, and seek the Lord for the way to apply them.
To respect persons in the context of this verse becomes clear in light of the entire passage, which can be taken from the beginning of James chapter 2, so please look at this for yourself. Simply put, the respect of persons the Bible refers to here means that you are showing favoritism. And when we read through the book of James, this favoritism is shown to have a strong connection with MONEY. The Word of God tells us that we cannot serve God and mammon (which means $ or material wealth), and that if we will just seek first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, He will provide all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” -Luke 12:29-32.
There are many pitfalls when it comes to the type of “respect of persons” that the Bible speaks of here, and I'd like to go over some of them. Yet indeed the number one issue which bothers me is related to money, or material success; most people seem to be under a spell of favoritism toward elevated individuals.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” -Luke 6:26.
Here is the problem that follows my #1 concern; that people come to esteem the opinions of such a person on any subject. In other words, the success of the person likely came in one or two major areas, and with regard to these areas the person can give good advice. But then their opinion is asked for in other areas of which they have little or no knowledge, and people listen to them attentively in any area they speak about. Also in most of these cases, the “celebrity” will share as if they really know something, and won't admit to their limited knowledge. Christians need to be discerning about who they are listening to, and only too often do they highly esteem those of worldly success for advice.
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” -2 Corinthians 11:3,4.
Christians must follow the Bible, and hold up all teachings to its light (John 3:21, Acts 17:11). And be sure that in Christ lies all the hidden treasures of wisdom & knowledge (Colossians 2:3).
A second issue is related to the first, in that when we unduly favor one over another, for ANY reason, we hurt ourselves; and it is demeaning to those we consider to be “lesser.” I find this to be true both within & outside of the body of Christ.
“Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” -Ecclesiastes 9:16.
“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” -Jonah 2:8.
If we are truly seeking to walk in Christ, God will make known to us the importance of humility in our lives. And so a third issue of hurt is that the undo respect of persons will lead to PRIDE in the person we're promoting, and pride goes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). In this way, to give a person favoritism in respect & treatment is hurtful to them, as well.
“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” -Daniel 4:37 (v.30-37).
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” -James 4:6.
A fourth potential problem I see lies with the coveting of GIFTS. To give a “successful” person great recognition will often mean reward for those following the “respected” individual. In some ways it is reminiscent of Esau selling his birthright for food (Hebrews 12:16); how quickly and cheaply these compromises come! We should not seek material gifts, nor unduly value what we may receive.
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.” -Deuteronomy 16:19.
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:” -1 Thessalonians 2:4,5.
“...there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies...And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...” -2 Peter 2:1,3.
We may well see this problem of inequality in the world around us, but it is rampant in churches as well, and this is my fifth point on this subject. God warns us that this will happen, in places like Matthew 24:48-51. He also spells out the issue of equality amongst the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, but I focus here on verses 22-25;
“Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
At one time a friend & I felt led of the Lord to leave the church we were attending. I could not say with certainty that anything was wrong in God's eyes, but thought that I should write to the pastor and tell him of things I found wanting (I don't recall my friend's reasons), in case it might be of value for his own ministry. The letter was not harsh or accusing, but he immediately called me (no prayer) and “told me off”, saying among other things, “Who are you to tell ME anything? I've been a pastor ten years, what do you know?” Brethren, doesn't this sound like one part of the church putting down another part? We were also told by those who remained at the church that he was referring to us as “lost,” because we had left his fellowship! We also saw this type of great, open inequality throughout Africa and the churches there.
We need to avoid the snare of respect of persons that the Bible addresses here in James 2:9, so what can we do? First, remember that God sees all men equally (Romans 3:23), and one should not be elevated over another. We can respect the abilities and talents people have in certain areas, and thank God for the help He gives us through them, but recognize that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” as we read in James 1:17. The advice we should adhere to from these celebrities has limits. This applies both in direct personal relationships, and with regard to celebrities or leaders on a much larger scale.
Secondly, we believers are servants of JESUS CHRIST, and Him alone; we were bought with a great price, and must not become the servants of men (1 Corinthians 7:23). Remember that we are not only to resist the temptation of respecting persons with regard to others, but we must resist when others are elevating us in unreasonable ways. Thanks or appreciation are welcome and appropriate in various ways, but we must not feed the temptation of this sin in others for ourselves, or any other human being.
“And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.” -Acts 10:25,26.
“Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” -Judges 8:22,23.
You may also be interested in my YouTube video on this subject at https://youtu.be/eW1Ch5aw6gc.
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