How to Stop Showing Partiality

1
How to Stop Showing Partiality

• (James 21-13)

2
Brief Review

• Today represents our eighth installment in this
  series of lesson taken from the book of James.
• The theme of this particular series of lessons is
  How To Christianity.
• Our seven previous lessons have already addressed
  several important and practical topics of
  everyday living.

3
The Existence of Partiality

• The first century world in which the New
  Testament was written was indeed divided or
  polarized in several different ways
• Jew and Gentle (racially)
• Slave and free (socially)
• Rich and poor (economically)
• Greek or barbarian (culturally)
• Our 21st century culture is just as divided! We
  display partiality (prejudice, bias) according to
  race, age, gender, economic status, educational
  attainment, and culture.

4
Gods Plan to Eliminate Partiality

• God, through the redeeming work of His Son Jesus,
  has sought to tear down the barriers of
  partiality! (Galatians 326-28 Colossians
  39-11)
• Unfortunately, in our stubbornness, we have not
  walked down the pathway of impartiality as we
  should. Thus, we have the need for our teaching
  in todays text of James (21-13).

5
Why, Though, Is Showing Partiality Wrong?

• First of all showing partiality is wrong because
  it makes us judges with evil thoughts (intents).
  (24)
• Second, showing partiality is wrong because we
  dishonor those God has chosen to honor. (25)
• Third, showing partiality is wrong because by so
  doing we honor those who dishonor God. (26,7)

6
Why, Though, Is Showing Partiality Wrong?

• Fourth, showing partiality is wrong because it is
  a sin. (29)
• Fifth, showing partiality is wrong because it
  makes us transgressors. (29)
• And sixth, showing partiality is wrong because it
  causes us to show judgment without mercy. (213)

7
How Can We Keep from Showing Partiality?

• First of all, we can keep from showing partiality
  by treating every person with the dignity they
  deserve. (21,2)
• Second, we can keep from showing partiality by
  remembering that God has a special concern for
  the poor, the downtrodden, and the
  disad-vantaged. (25)
• Third, we can keep from showing partiality by
  seeking to fulfill the royal law. (28)

8
How Can We Keep from Showing Partiality?

• Fourth, we can keep from showing partiality by
  remembering that one day we will face the Lord in
  judgment. (212)
• And fifth, we can keep from showing partiality if
  we will always remember that mercy triumphs over
  judgment. (213)

9
Let Us Always Remember

• Showing Partiality
• Dishonors others
• Divides the church
• Destroys our influence upon the world
• Showing Impartiality
• Brings about dignity for others
• Brings glory to the Lord of glory
• Provides strength to the church