Are we judges with evil thoughts?

God calls us to treat each other the same way He treats each of us. That is with unconditional love, not based on who we are, but on who He is.

Are we judges with evil thoughts?

I hope not, James hoped his readers were not, and the Lord calls us to love our neighbor, not judge them. James was trying to correct a problem among his readers, of "showing partiality" See the 4 verses below.

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

James 2:2For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,

James 2:3and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

James 2:4have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

As those who hold the faith of Jesus Christ, we are called to not be partial to people. We are called to avoid treating a person a certain way because of who they are. James gives in the next portion of his letter, that partiality shown to the rich and to the poor. And, he says if your doing this, then you have become judges with evil thoughts. Ouch.......that's serious, and it's of great concern to God, who is the judge, and who has called us to relate to one another by loving each other, and avoiding partiality.

Human nature is such, that it can do things that are evil and destructive. This is one of them. None of us would appreciate it if we went into an assembly of believers, and because of how we look, or how we are dressed that we would be treated without the respect shown to others. And, if we were told to "just go stand over there, or sit in this really low place" It would not be a blessing to us, and of course, it's not a blessing to anyone else if treat them that way.

So, James is laying out this issue, and calling all who believe in Jesus Christ, to fulfill the royal law, which is, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" and, if we do that he says, we "doing well" See James 2:8.

We must admit, at least I must admit, I can see this tendency within myself, and I imagine that any christian would say, that they have had to deal with this. But the blessing is, and the good news is, that we change that behavior, and we can put partiality aside, and make a real concerted effort, to just be genuine lovers of all people.

We needs God's help, power and grace to do it. And, God would never ask us to do something that we can't do in Christ.

Lord, we admit it, we have this kind of thing in us from time to time, and we pray to be delivered from it, and to established, more and more in your kind and unconditional, impartial love, and find ourselves pleasing You. You are so great, that You command us to love one another. What a command. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. God is not partial.

2. God loves everyone the same.

3. God's church is not to be partial.

4. God's love in the church is to be the same to each one.

5. God will give us His love for every person.

6. God corrects us and changes us if we let Him

7. God is so wonderful. He loves You.

8. God says, "love one another"