WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.240 James chapter 2, starting in verse 1, just before we read the text, Judah left off basically talking about a handful of issues that James brings up. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:27.160 ! Being slow to speak, slow to anger, receiving with meekness the implanted word, being doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourself. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:33.240 And then he ends chapter 1, segueing into chapter 2 by saying, 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:43.200 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:52.400 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:01:04.780 And it seems to be a break in thought, a little bit of a break, and he switches to speaking directly to his audience about another issue, which is the issue of partiality. 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:12.280 Or maybe you could say the issue of favoritism in the body of Christ. 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:21.079 And just to remind everyone, it seems clear that James is writing to his fellow kinsmen, to Jews. 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:23.359 He starts off in chapter 1 by saying, 00:01:24.579 --> 00:01:29.599 James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:34.859 So there's Jews dispersed, and he specifically writes to them. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:37.760 Now this doesn't mean it's not profitable for us. 00:01:37.760 --> 00:01:44.840 It's just good to know the context, who he's writing to, and to keep that in mind as we work through it. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:50.920 So I'm going to read the passage, and you can follow along with me, and then we'll dig into it, okay? 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:54.900 So chapter 2, verse 1 says, 00:01:54.900 --> 00:02:03.320 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:08.620 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, 00:02:08.939 --> 00:02:12.400 and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 00:02:12.799 --> 00:02:16.519 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:18.879 You sit here in a good place, 00:02:19.459 --> 00:02:21.259 while you say to the poor man, 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:24.280 You stand over there, or sit down at my feet, 00:02:25.039 --> 00:02:28.439 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.259 and become judges with evil thoughts? 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:33.799 Listen, my beloved brothers, 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:39.959 Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:42.899 which he has promised to those who love him? 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:45.639 But you have dishonored the poor man. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:50.359 Are not the rich the ones who oppress you and the ones who drag you into court? 00:02:51.079 --> 00:02:55.000 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 00:02:55.000 --> 00:03:00.139 If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:03.879 you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.819 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin, 00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.560 and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:16.479 Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has been guilty of all of it. 00:03:16.479 --> 00:03:22.060 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:25.759 If you do not commit adultery, but do murder, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:28.699 you have become a transgressor of the law. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:34.799 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 00:03:35.679 --> 00:03:39.239 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:41.620 Mercy triumphs over judgment. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:47.599 Okay, so at the end, right there, I'm going to stop before we get into verse 14. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:49.240 Just a little bit of a different thought. 00:03:49.819 --> 00:03:52.780 Still in the same flow of what James is getting at. 00:03:54.140 --> 00:03:56.480 So we're going to work through 1 through 13. 00:03:57.300 --> 00:04:04.560 And right off the bat, James addresses his kinsmen, as you might guess, as my brothers. 00:04:05.159 --> 00:04:07.719 This is really pervasive through the book of James. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:16.680 He uses my beloved brothers, my brothers, this really familial language of treating these hearers. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:24.240 And I think that's important because he has a lot to exhort them in, even rebuke them in. 00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:28.339 And it's important that he calls them his brothers, right? 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:36.779 So if we're all brothers in Christ, then we can know how to relate to one another on these issues. 00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:43.359 And see that as a familial, brotherly, collegial type of thing, right? 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:46.859 So in verse 1, he says, 00:04:46.939 --> 00:04:49.919 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith. 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:57.479 And so basically, the sin of partiality or favoritism, 00:04:57.480 --> 00:05:04.819 we all probably have experience, participated in, been tempted with, right? 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:08.560 This is really seen with, like, school kids. 00:05:09.280 --> 00:05:11.460 You know, like, you have your group over here. 00:05:11.640 --> 00:05:13.259 You have that group over there. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:16.240 And all of a sudden, you have one kid standing, you know, all alone. 00:05:16.720 --> 00:05:20.240 You know, and it's kind of just like, well, he'll be fine. 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:22.579 You know, just don't include him, you know. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:28.680 That's kind of like a clear example of partiality, you know. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:31.199 Groups, cliques kind of thing. 00:05:32.340 --> 00:05:38.540 But James is getting at something that not only is in children, but it's in all of us. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:42.079 And it fleshes itself out in different ways. 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:44.400 Sometimes you can really see it. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:47.919 Other times, it's less noticeable. 00:05:48.859 --> 00:05:54.699 And so everybody, at some point or another, is partial towards someone. 00:05:55.679 --> 00:05:55.819 Okay? 00:05:57.239 --> 00:05:59.620 And we all understand the temptation. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:04.899 And so in that sense, it's applicable to us. 00:06:05.239 --> 00:06:11.839 And I'm going to give some maybe helpful guides to show how it happens at a large scale. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:19.099 You know, you might see, like, racism as maybe the most, like, prominent, large scale form of partiality, right? 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:21.719 Partial towards an entire group or race. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:25.439 But how it always starts, like, in our hearts. 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:35.319 And I think James gets at that root of why we make those distinctions. 00:06:36.179 --> 00:06:38.699 And so everybody experiences this. 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:40.159 Everyone is tempted. 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:41.720 You know, there's no unique person. 00:06:42.520 --> 00:06:43.620 But it's a sin. 00:06:43.840 --> 00:06:44.700 He calls it a sin. 00:06:45.140 --> 00:06:45.320 You know? 00:06:46.020 --> 00:06:51.980 Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:59.020 Now, that phrase, as you hold the faith, is really important because it says something about Christianity. 00:07:00.320 --> 00:07:03.020 You can't be partial if you want to be a Christian. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:03.459 Okay? 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:07.659 You can't say, I'm of Apollos. 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.120 Or I'm of this person. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:10.379 I'm not going to receive you. 00:07:10.539 --> 00:07:12.939 Or, you know, like, I'll just kind of go my own way. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:13.519 Right? 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:17.639 He says, show no partiality as you hold the faith. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.120 As you claim Christ. 00:07:20.219 --> 00:07:21.599 As you claim to be a Christian. 00:07:21.919 --> 00:07:23.560 Do not show partiality. 00:07:24.359 --> 00:07:24.620 Okay? 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:26.899 And so it's really important for us to pay attention. 00:07:27.780 --> 00:07:31.639 I think this issue is kind of an issue that maybe doesn't get talked about a lot. 00:07:32.019 --> 00:07:34.939 But when it comes up, it's like, okay, yeah, it's clear. 00:07:35.500 --> 00:07:35.699 You know? 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:39.579 This is an actual vice of some. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:41.039 It's an actual sin. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:49.379 You know, the church we came from, Bellicose, at one time, it was a more prominent problem. 00:07:49.939 --> 00:07:51.099 You know, maybe clickiness. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:57.159 Not wanting to reach out to people who were obviously in front of us. 00:07:57.579 --> 00:07:57.759 You know? 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:08.360 And I think a similar word would be had to a church that James is speaking to as it would be to us if we fall in that category. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:15.539 I don't think necessarily that it's easy to do this with Christ Church because, you know, we're so small and everybody's here. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:29.600 Which actually makes it even more needful to talk about the heart, I think, aspect of partiality because it still sends a sin that we're tempted with. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:30.320 Okay? 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.639 So everybody can understand this. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:41.659 And maybe even some people in this room struggle with this particularly more than they would like to admit. 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.980 Maybe you have a hard time with certain persons. 00:08:46.699 --> 00:08:52.379 Maybe in your heart you always struggle to crucify this. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:52.819 Right? 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:54.839 Maybe you make provisions for it. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:08:59.659 And I hope that as I work through this, you would receive grace. 00:09:00.339 --> 00:09:03.819 But also know that you can't walk in that anymore. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:04.839 Okay? 00:09:04.840 --> 00:09:17.220 And so basically he says, show no partiality as you hold the faith. 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:21.820 And then he gives this example about two different people, two different stark examples. 00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.340 Rich guy, poor guy. 00:09:23.680 --> 00:09:25.540 Maybe you could say the homeless guy walks in. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:30.019 And then the bougie guy with the ring wearing Gucci walks in. 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:31.279 And it's obvious. 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.740 You're like, okay, that guy, I want to be his friend. 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:34.500 You know? 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.539 The rich dude. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:38.699 The poor guy is just like, oh man, what's he doing here? 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.019 I hope he leaves. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:40.939 You know? 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:46.120 Like, maybe we should just keep him in the back. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:47.000 You know? 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:47.679 Type of thing. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:50.579 That's the kind of example he gives. 00:09:50.580 --> 00:09:54.240 And that's obvious. 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:58.040 But you can apply that across the board to many situations. 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:01.780 And I think it starts in our heart. 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:06.200 So I'm going to divide the sin of partiality into two categories. 00:10:08.520 --> 00:10:11.240 Micro partiality, you can call it. 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:13.580 And then macro partiality over here. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:14.360 Okay? 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:20.720 And the micro would basically encompass everything more on an individual level. 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.820 Person-to-person specific. 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:25.700 Partiality. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:30.419 Favoritism between persons or class. 00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:31.100 You know? 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.240 A class of person. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:34.820 That's more on a heart level. 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:38.200 But then you have, you can see partiality on a macro level. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.759 Like I mentioned earlier with racism. 00:10:40.460 --> 00:10:46.300 Or like ethnic, socioeconomic, or religious partiality. 00:10:47.040 --> 00:10:50.180 Right now in America and abroad. 00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:53.879 You're either an anti-Semite. 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.759 Or you're pro-Israel. 00:10:56.780 --> 00:10:57.060 You know? 00:10:57.340 --> 00:10:59.560 There's not really a middle ground. 00:10:59.920 --> 00:11:00.879 I mean, there is a middle ground. 00:11:01.040 --> 00:11:02.040 Plenty of people are in it. 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:08.099 But that's really not how the societies are treating people. 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:08.539 Right? 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:10.299 You're either in this camp. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:11.819 Or you're in this camp. 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.639 You're either partial to this person or group. 00:11:14.719 --> 00:11:15.719 Or this person. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:19.219 And I think that's a really fleshly thing. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:19.719 You know? 00:11:20.339 --> 00:11:22.980 That we, that people obviously do. 00:11:23.099 --> 00:11:26.539 But it's in all of us to err on an extreme. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.939 And say, you must be this. 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:30.199 Or you must be this. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:34.140 And James says, show none of that. 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.620 Show no partiality. 00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:37.980 And so that would be the macro. 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:38.720 You know? 00:11:39.220 --> 00:11:43.759 Sometimes if a whole church gives in to this sin, 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:48.200 you could see an entire church being partial towards a specific group. 00:11:48.640 --> 00:11:51.620 That's a macro level sin of partiality. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:52.100 You know? 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:55.940 And that does happen, unfortunately, in the Christian church. 00:11:56.020 --> 00:11:58.280 People take massive stances against the Jews. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:03.019 And unfortunately, the Bible has a lot to say about our treatment of Jews. 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:05.480 And even reception of them. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:10.259 That's a whole other conversation to get into that. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:14.659 But these are examples of the sin of partiality. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:15.659 And so... 00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:31.699 If you keep working through, James talks about this man wearing a gold ring and the shabby man. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:34.700 And if you work down to verse... 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:39.700 Four. 00:12:40.920 --> 00:12:41.460 There we go. 00:12:41.879 --> 00:12:43.700 After he says to the poor man, 00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:44.740 You stand over here. 00:12:45.020 --> 00:12:46.520 Or you sit down at my feet. 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:48.420 He says in verse four, 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:55.160 Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 00:12:55.159 --> 00:13:01.319 Okay, this word distinctions is a really important Bible word. 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:03.839 We actually see it throughout the New Testament. 00:13:05.079 --> 00:13:07.939 And then he gives a blow. 00:13:08.100 --> 00:13:08.579 He says, 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.839 You become judges. 00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:13.399 Not only just judges merely, but ones with evil thoughts. 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:14.459 Okay? 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.059 How does... 00:13:15.059 --> 00:13:16.379 James, how do you know my thoughts? 00:13:16.459 --> 00:13:16.639 Okay? 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:18.939 I'm just saying you sit over here, you sit over there. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.180 Well, James knows... 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:22.600 He knows how partiality works. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:23.820 You know? 00:13:24.280 --> 00:13:26.560 It starts with the thought, right? 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.480 It starts with the heart. 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.500 He's like, 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:32.480 You guys have been entertaining evil thoughts. 00:13:32.780 --> 00:13:37.320 And I can see it's true because of how you're actually treating people. 00:13:37.660 --> 00:13:39.100 In your actions. 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:40.300 Right? 00:13:40.760 --> 00:13:42.540 And so, he says, 00:13:42.820 --> 00:13:45.500 You have made distinctions. 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:50.259 So, in Scripture, there's a... 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:52.500 Well, okay. 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:54.159 There's a couple examples. 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:57.840 I'm going to bring up just one from Galatians 2. 00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:59.120 You guys don't have to turn there. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.159 I can read it. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:03.879 But we have a situation where Peter, 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:08.080 the most greatest example of a disciple, 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.679 you know, didn't make any mistakes, 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:12.960 is confronted by Paul 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:16.460 in Galatians 2. 00:14:16.660 --> 00:14:18.180 It basically says 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:21.700 that something happened in Peter's heart 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.080 and then it was micro 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:24.780 and then it turned macro. 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:25.400 Okay? 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:27.460 Galatians 2, verse 11 says, 00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:29.740 But when Cephas came to Antioch, 00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:30.320 that's Peter, 00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.820 I opposed him to his face 00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.700 because he stood condemned. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.759 Verse 12, 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:58.639 So, Peter fell to the sin 00:14:58.639 --> 00:15:00.860 by withdrawing himself. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:02.200 He separated himself. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.440 He was saying, you know, like, 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.780 Oh, yeah, Gentiles are in. 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:08.320 You know, the gospel has brought in Gentiles. 00:15:08.520 --> 00:15:09.460 I'll eat with them. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:10.140 I'll fellowship. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.000 You know? 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.379 But then, 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:16.379 he was tempted with some peer pressure. 00:15:17.020 --> 00:15:17.200 Right? 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:20.460 Maybe his other friends were coming along 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:20.759 and he's like, 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:23.280 Oh, I don't think I want to be seen 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:24.500 eating with these Gentiles. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.440 You know? 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:28.720 To appease my Jewish fellows. 00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:29.960 So, I'm going to draw back. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.900 I'm going to, 00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:31.760 I'm going to, 00:15:31.760 --> 00:15:31.980 you know, 00:15:32.020 --> 00:15:32.580 eat with them 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:34.280 and separate myself from these guys. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.280 So, that was, 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.340 that was a micro deal. 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:37.260 Right? 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.360 Peter was like, 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:39.560 Ah, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.860 you know what? 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.460 I'm kind of afraid of what people think. 00:15:44.400 --> 00:15:44.580 You know? 00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:47.600 It does say that fear was the beginning of the sin. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.080 Right? 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:48.800 It says, 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:50.380 Fearing the circumcision party. 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.820 He's like, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.520 Ah, 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.840 I'm going to just kind of eat with them. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.200 Right? 00:15:55.780 --> 00:15:56.760 And then what happens? 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:58.180 It goes macro. 00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.320 It says, 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:00.480 And the rest of the Jews 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:02.760 acted hypocritically along with them. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.060 And even Barnabas, 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:04.940 right, 00:16:05.280 --> 00:16:07.080 was led astray by their hypocrisy. 00:16:08.400 --> 00:16:08.880 Now, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:12.380 partiality isn't exactly hypocrisy. 00:16:12.380 --> 00:16:13.580 Those aren't the same. 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:14.300 You know, 00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:16.520 you can be a hypocrite in many ways that 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:19.540 I think is more than partiality. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:22.720 But we see hypocrisy as very close to partiality. 00:16:23.160 --> 00:16:24.060 There's a lot of overlap. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:25.459 So, 00:16:25.459 --> 00:16:28.259 Paul rebukes him and then actually preaches the gospel 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.939 directly after that. 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.079 Because, 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.879 essentially, 00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.359 when we fall 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:37.179 by favoring one over the other, 00:16:37.719 --> 00:16:39.619 we actually forget about 00:16:39.619 --> 00:16:42.299 how God has treated us. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.019 We forget about the gospel. 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:46.599 We lose sight of it. 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:49.840 And we start to become self-seeking. 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:53.220 We start to give way to our own feelings, 00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:56.540 give in to temptations of what people think. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:59.159 And that's, 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.139 you can really see that. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:00.879 Paul did, 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:02.040 and he called that out. 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.440 He's like, 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:02.680 hey, 00:17:02.920 --> 00:17:04.600 you can't do that. 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:04.980 You know, 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.500 like, 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.460 remember, 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.460 remember the God who saved you, 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:09.380 you know, 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.500 when you were astray. 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.460 And so, 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:13.620 um, 00:17:13.840 --> 00:17:17.240 we see how subtle the sin comes up, 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:18.059 even in Peter. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:18.620 You know, 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:21.240 don't think that if you're spiritual or religious, 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:21.700 that, 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.299 you know, 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:22.960 this doesn't, 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:23.980 uh, 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.640 this isn't, 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.019 uh, 00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:27.259 something that you can struggle with. 00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.940 You know, 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.640 even Peter, 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:29.740 um, 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.619 you know, 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.319 fell quickly, 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.240 it seemed to it. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.559 And so, 00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:36.420 there must be no distinctions. 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.359 So, 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.299 he uses that word. 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:38.779 He says, 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:41.259 have you not made distinctions among yourselves 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:43.420 and become judges with evil thoughts? 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.660 And so, 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.099 when, 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:47.140 when we look at people in the church, 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:48.180 um, 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.640 we can't look at them 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:51.799 in the way that says, 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:53.680 because you're X or Y or Z, 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:55.539 I won't receive you. 00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:57.140 Okay? 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:57.859 That, 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.799 that's where it starts. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:17:59.640 Uh, 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.779 whether it's personality, 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.619 sometimes we honestly have good, 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.119 maybe not good, 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:09.599 but understandable reasons for not interacting with certain people. 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.779 Um, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.819 but ultimately, 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:14.000 they're not good reasons. 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.619 Right? 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:15.160 Like, 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.599 you might say, 00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:17.619 this person's personality is really hard. 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.799 This person's easily irritable. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.680 This person's really awkward. 00:18:22.359 --> 00:18:24.299 I'm just not gonna talk to them. 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.420 I'm just not gonna, 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:25.759 you know, 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.039 I think we bet, 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.279 you know, 00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:28.139 we have dinner scheduled, 00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:28.639 but like, 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:30.279 I really hope one of our kids gets sick. 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.299 Or we cancel. 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:31.759 You know, 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:34.359 because they really don't wanna spend an hour, 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:36.500 maybe two hours in their home talking about, 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.740 who knows? 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.539 You know, 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:38.859 like, 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:39.839 like, 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:42.480 these are all things that we've probably shared and experienced. 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.879 And we start to entertain, 00:18:44.159 --> 00:18:44.359 right? 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.339 We start to be like, 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.259 uh, 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:46.819 you know, 00:18:47.859 --> 00:18:48.199 uh, 00:18:48.199 --> 00:18:49.639 as soon as the church service is over, 00:18:49.699 --> 00:18:50.259 we should dip, 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.519 honey. 00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:50.939 You know, 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.279 we should, 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:51.899 we should, 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.879 we should go to lunch. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:54.100 We already have lunch plans. 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:55.380 So if anyone asked us, 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:55.720 you know, 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.460 like, 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:57.640 anyways, 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:59.060 it sounds ridiculous, 00:18:59.060 --> 00:18:59.560 right? 00:19:00.020 --> 00:19:00.620 But how, 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.920 how often do we, 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.400 uh, 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:04.200 maybe slowly think that way? 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:04.780 You know, 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.780 maybe we're just like, 00:19:05.820 --> 00:19:06.120 okay, 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:07.219 um, 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:12.459 I'm making what the Bible calls a provision for my flesh, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.339 right? 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.599 Subtle provisions. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.639 May, 00:19:15.719 --> 00:19:16.819 may we not do that? 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.259 You know, 00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:18.879 James says at the beginning, 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:20.219 if you claim to be Christian, 00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:21.939 uh, 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.219 show no partiality. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.979 I think the NLT says, 00:19:25.219 --> 00:19:28.479 it asked the question at the beginning of James two, 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.039 instead of just a statement, 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:31.159 that's the question, 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:35.879 how can you have faith in the Lord Jesus when you treat others differently? 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:37.199 You know, 00:19:37.219 --> 00:19:38.019 or something like that. 00:19:38.479 --> 00:19:39.839 Basically it poses this, 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.739 this question, 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:40.939 like, 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:43.419 how can you call yourself a Christian when you show partiality? 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.179 You know, 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:44.819 that's, 00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:45.819 that's a real thing. 00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:46.159 You know, 00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.019 I think it's, 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:49.679 it's good that we feel the weight of that. 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.819 So in verse four, 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:53.219 he says, 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:54.379 uh, 00:19:54.419 --> 00:19:58.019 have you not made distinctions and become judges with evil thoughts? 00:19:59.219 --> 00:19:59.619 Okay. 00:20:00.399 --> 00:20:00.839 Um, 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.579 that was a little bit of a blow, 00:20:02.739 --> 00:20:03.899 but in case you forgot, 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:04.519 everybody, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:07.359 James still loves you guys as beloved brothers, 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.379 because he says this, 00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:08.980 listen, 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.579 my beloved brothers. 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.220 Okay. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:11.759 Now we're, 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.440 now we're back. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:13.900 Okay. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.200 He's like, 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.099 I know what I just said. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.599 I know some of you are like, 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:17.400 James, 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.599 get off my case. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:19.039 He's like, 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:19.279 Hey, 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:20.299 you guys are the beloved. 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:21.039 Like, 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:21.680 listen to me. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.000 Okay. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.539 So in verse five, 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.799 he says, 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.099 listen, 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.099 my beloved brothers, 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:30.579 has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.960 which he has promised to those who love him. 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.339 So after he says, 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.599 you guys have made distinctions. 00:20:36.919 --> 00:20:38.299 You guys have evil thoughts. 00:20:38.939 --> 00:20:39.259 He, 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:43.599 he basically shows them something of maybe how they once were. 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:47.159 We're not you guys that poor man, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:48.279 you know, 00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:51.059 didn't Jesus seek you out? 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.960 You know, 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.460 like a lot of us were fishermen, 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:54.619 uh, 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:56.539 maybe uneducated men. 00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.319 Right. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.179 And, 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.619 uh, 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.200 the Lord, 00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:00.679 the Lord came to us. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:01.759 Right. 00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:07.559 Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom? 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:09.779 Um, 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.240 despite being a side, 00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:13.539 but I don't think that, 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:13.960 uh, 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:16.179 James is saying that, 00:21:16.179 --> 00:21:17.059 uh, 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:19.599 impoverished people are intrinsic, 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.980 intrinsically more righteous. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:23.839 Or deserving of the kingdom per se, 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:24.859 or that, 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.220 you know, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:27.119 if you're middle class or rich, 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:30.379 that you have to become poor to get into the kingdom. 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.819 Right. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.839 Because I think he, 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.119 he, 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:39.159 he qualifies it at the end by saying that he's promised the kingdom to those who love him. 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:40.359 You know, 00:21:40.440 --> 00:21:40.819 you can, 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:44.639 you meet plenty of impoverished people who genuinely hate God. 00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.419 Right. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.659 That's not a, 00:21:46.679 --> 00:21:46.960 uh, 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:47.839 uh, 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.039 economic status. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.579 You know, 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:51.420 hatred of God is not an economic status. 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.420 Um, 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:58.159 you can be rich and you can be middle class and you can be poor and all shake your fists 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:58.579 at God. 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.059 Right. 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:01.500 But I think he's talking about a poverty, 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.480 which all of us, 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.339 uh, 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:07.220 need to have in order to enter the kingdom, 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:10.680 which basically I think Jesus gets at in Matthew when he says, 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:12.980 the poor in spirit, 00:22:13.100 --> 00:22:13.720 uh, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:15.120 theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.620 Right. 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.779 The kingdom of God. 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:20.059 So you have to have a poorness, 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:23.200 a neediness that says, 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.220 um, 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:26.819 that you need God, 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:27.840 you know, 00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:30.539 that you see God as savior, 00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:31.640 right? 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:36.299 A poorness in spirit that would actually cry out to God that wouldn't just, 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:36.559 you know, 00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:37.340 raise your hand, 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:38.900 but would, 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.220 uh, 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.940 from your heart, 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.660 you know, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.860 uh, 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:46.000 fall prostrate before the Lord and beg his, 00:22:46.080 --> 00:22:46.860 his salvation. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.480 Right. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:50.500 That kind of neediness to that person, 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.400 the, 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:53.819 the gift and inheritance is the kingdom. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:57.160 And so I think that's the sentiment. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.420 Um, 00:22:58.420 --> 00:23:01.160 not that there's nothing to say about the impoverished person. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:06.099 I think we should care for the poor as other areas of scripture say, 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:08.120 but I think it's important to mention that. 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.160 And so, 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.160 um, 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:14.700 the needy will inherit the kingdom. 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:14.779 Um, 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:21.039 God has promised this to those who love him and those who know their need. 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:25.500 And so working downward, 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.500 um, 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:34.000 after James has said that, 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.759 he says in verse six, 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.019 here's another blow. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:38.100 Prepare yourself. 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.759 He says, 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:43.019 but you have dishonored the poor man. 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:44.940 Are not the rich, 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:48.639 the ones who oppress you and the ones who drag you into court. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:54.379 Are they not the ones who blasting the honorable name by which you were called? 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.900 So he's basically saying you guys are inconsistent. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:59.420 It might've been that they were talking about like, 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.539 maybe they were gumbling, 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:00.779 like, 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:00.980 ah, 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.740 the rich people, 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:02.200 they all, 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.720 they're responsible for everything. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.220 You know, 00:24:04.240 --> 00:24:05.139 those billionaires, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:05.879 those, 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:06.599 those, 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:06.859 uh, 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:08.259 big corporate owners, 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:08.960 like they, 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.700 they're terrible. 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.900 James is like, 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.559 you're inconsistent. 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:15.379 You just had a billionaire walk in and you want him to have the best seat. 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.119 Like, 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.039 you know, 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.019 what's going on? 00:24:18.139 --> 00:24:18.379 Like, 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.379 he's like, 00:24:19.399 --> 00:24:20.359 are not the rich ones, 00:24:20.399 --> 00:24:24.500 the ones who oppress you and they blaspheme the honorable name? 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.019 You know, 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:25.980 um, 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:27.359 are you willing to give that up? 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.179 You know, 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:31.539 the name by which you were bought and sealed just to appease somebody, 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:33.460 to give into some peer pressure, 00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.399 partiality, 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.179 right? 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.180 he's like, 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.539 he's like, 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:41.680 you guys are riddled with inconsistency and the sin is clear. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:42.700 Okay. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.320 And then he, 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:47.080 and then he says in verse eight, 00:24:48.080 --> 00:24:51.460 if you really fulfill the Royal law, 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.060 according to the scripture, 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:55.680 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.140 You are doing well. 00:24:57.140 --> 00:25:01.120 Now it doesn't say, 00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:04.520 if you really fulfill the Royal law to love your neighbor, 00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.540 you'll be saved. 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.800 Right. 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:07.819 Um, 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.500 he's not saying, 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:08.700 Hey, 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:08.980 just, 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:11.559 just don't feel partiality and you're good. 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:13.039 But he said, 00:25:13.099 --> 00:25:14.059 you're doing well. 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.659 In other words, 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:17.139 there's a theme throughout James. 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:22.919 I think that can sometimes get into the weeds of other parts of scripture. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:24.919 If you read it just on its face. 00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:25.919 Um, 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.500 for example, 00:25:26.500 --> 00:25:26.720 um, 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.500 who's teaching next week? 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.379 Verse 14. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.200 You are. 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:31.740 Yeah. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:34.960 So Seth is going to be tasked with explaining Paul's words, 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:37.940 not being justified by works. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:41.740 When James talks about being justified by works. 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.960 And it seems like James and, 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.440 and Paul are at odds, 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.019 but honestly, 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.420 this is a pretty simple one. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:50.039 If you just read the rest of scripture, 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:56.460 we actually see that Paul and James agree at the Jerusalem council and that, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.960 um, 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.220 the poor, 00:25:59.000 --> 00:25:59.380 um, 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:01.279 James says that he, 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:03.100 he doesn't want them to forget the poor. 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:04.380 And then Paul actually agrees. 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.740 And he says, 00:26:04.780 --> 00:26:06.160 this is the very thing I'm eager to do. 00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:08.920 So there was clearly unity between those guys. 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.000 Uh, 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.840 especially with the gospel. 00:26:12.020 --> 00:26:16.240 Paul presented the gospel to James and they received him and gave them the right hand of fellowship. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.020 Scripture says. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:19.940 So it's not that these guys are writing against each other. 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:20.760 Okay. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:23.160 The scripture actually is in unity. 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:26.060 And so when we read something like this, 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:29.460 we have to read it in context of the rest of scripture. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.380 Okay. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:32.480 And so in verse eight, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.819 James is not saying, 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.019 Hey, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.880 if you love your neighbor as yourself, 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.640 you'll be saved. 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.460 No, 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:39.079 he's not saying that he's, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:41.480 he's talking specifically about partiality. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.160 Right. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:44.840 And so we need to understand how this applies. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.120 He says, 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:49.420 if you really fulfill what he calls the Royal law, 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:51.500 according to the scripture, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.180 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.540 You are doing well. 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.700 Um, 00:26:56.700 --> 00:27:01.299 I was researching kind of the Royal law. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:03.980 Like we have the law of Liberty, 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.960 which Judah said, 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.779 and that's coming up again, 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.680 but then he says the Royal law. 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.920 And some people say that, 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:11.460 um, 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.900 this specific commandment, 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.759 uh, 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:21.360 he adds the Royal aspect to it because Jesus reinstated it in the new Testament as, 00:27:21.360 --> 00:27:22.160 uh, 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:23.720 one among the greatest commandments, 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.860 but Lord your God. 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.519 And the second is like it. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:28.019 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.420 So he's saying, 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.799 you know, 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:32.559 it's Royal in the sense where Jesus said it, 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.640 reinstated it. 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:34.779 Um, 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:37.380 I think that's a possibility. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:38.880 Um, 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.539 but then remember, 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:43.940 as I remind you guys in the beginning that he's talking to Jews. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:45.720 So in one sense, 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.960 they should know the law, 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.620 right? 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.440 He quotes, 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.660 this is from Leviticus, 00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.799 the old Testament, 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.920 which every Jew should know. 00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.980 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.759 And so he's kind of, 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.220 he's, 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:58.220 you can see he's digging down even deeper. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:58.900 He's just like, 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.240 look, 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.620 you are Jews. 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.880 You should know the law. 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.440 Like, 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.079 why are you acting this way? 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:06.640 Like, 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.420 you know what the word says. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:11.140 If you really fulfill the Royal law, 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.920 not only in the old Testament, 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.480 but reiterated by Jesus in the new, 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.920 then you will do well. 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:20.319 But even that you cannot do. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.939 So, 00:28:20.939 --> 00:28:22.119 and, 00:28:22.179 --> 00:28:22.700 uh, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.559 in verse nine, 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:25.039 we see, 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:26.059 he just keeps going. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.379 He says, 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:29.200 but if you show partiality, 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.960 you're committing sin. 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:34.840 And are convicted by the law as transgressors. 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:38.340 Whoever keeps the whole law, 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:42.539 but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.900 So right there, 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:46.519 James says, 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.559 you're committing sin. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.400 If you do this, 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:48.860 right? 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.799 It's no ambiguity. 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.559 It's very clear. 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:53.500 And so, 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.480 um, 00:28:55.919 --> 00:29:02.079 there's kind of a little bit of a mirror here in verse nine and 10. 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.319 He says, 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:04.799 but if you show partiality, 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:06.619 you're committing sin and are convicted. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.919 And then he, 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.799 he says, 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.339 he says, 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.159 uh, 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.639 this is partiality, 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:15.279 but then he talks about something that's impartial. 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.119 He says, 00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:19.819 for whoever keeps the whole law, 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:25.240 but fails in one point has been guilty of all of it. 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.539 Okay. 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.899 So you see what I'm saying? 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:28.619 It basically, 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.079 if he, 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:31.500 if the guy who is keeping the whole law, 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.059 quote unquote, 00:29:32.179 --> 00:29:33.279 except for one area, 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.939 uh, 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.779 let's say that guy's partial. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.439 And, 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.960 um, 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:41.039 he's like, 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.519 come on, 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:41.819 James, 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:42.579 look at all this. 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:42.899 Look at, 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.099 I'm keeping the whole law. 00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:45.019 You know what I mean? 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.299 Like, 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.799 give me a break, 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:48.339 like get out of jail, 00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:49.079 free card. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.399 Like, 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.820 I've kept the rest of the law. 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.540 You know, 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.780 he's saying your, 00:29:52.780 --> 00:29:54.780 your treatment of the law is not good. 00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:58.480 You're treating the law as if the law itself is partial. 00:29:59.300 --> 00:30:00.240 But in fact, 00:30:00.300 --> 00:30:03.740 the law is not partial because if you fail at one point, 00:30:04.060 --> 00:30:04.820 uh, 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:07.040 it doesn't favor the rest of your obediences, 00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:08.940 but actually it condemns you. 00:30:09.580 --> 00:30:11.820 And so in one sense, 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:14.120 that's the law is a reflection of how, 00:30:14.120 --> 00:30:16.080 how God is in a lot of ways, 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.720 right? 00:30:17.160 --> 00:30:18.040 Like he requires, 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:19.740 requires perfect obedience, 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.759 right? 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:21.819 Uh, 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.700 so that no boasting can happen. 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:24.519 You know, 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:25.879 James says, 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:27.039 if you want to try and boast, 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:30.079 remember that the law is not partial. 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:30.920 Okay. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:33.680 If you fail at one point, 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.060 you become guilty of all of it. 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.860 And he gives the example. 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.420 He says, 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:39.019 for he who said, 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.160 do not commit adultery, 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:41.300 also said, 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:41.980 do not murder. 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.880 If you do not commit adultery, 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.620 but do murder, 00:30:46.019 --> 00:30:48.120 you have become a transgressor of the law. 00:30:52.060 --> 00:30:52.820 Verse 12. 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:58.379 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:03.000 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. 00:31:04.179 --> 00:31:05.740 Mercy triumphs over judgment. 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:08.460 Okay. 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:12.940 But there's his exhortation in verse 12. 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.920 James says, 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:17.339 so speak and so act what you say, 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.759 what you do, 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:24.039 let it be that that will be held accountable, 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:27.400 that those words and those actions will be held accountable to you. 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:29.400 Another place in scripture, 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:31.620 I think Jesus says this with the measure you use, 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.920 it will be measured to you. 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.400 Um, 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:38.300 but he doesn't say you'll be judged under the law period, 00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.960 the mosaic law period. 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:41.660 He says law of liberty, 00:31:41.800 --> 00:31:43.500 which I think is really important, 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:43.940 right? 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:47.620 Because all of us are going to start to feel condemned when we survey all of 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:49.220 our sins and realize, 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.100 oh no, 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:52.000 if I'm judged today, 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:53.400 this is bad news for me, 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:53.960 right? 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:58.680 So good news is James calls this the law of liberty, 00:31:58.680 --> 00:32:00.279 which I think Judah was getting at, 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.080 um, 00:32:01.080 --> 00:32:01.740 really well, 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:03.220 that he used in, 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:03.640 uh, 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.299 chapter one. 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.599 He uses the phrase, 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.359 the law of liberty, 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:11.140 which you might call the law of freedom synonymous with liberty. 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.380 Uh, 00:32:12.380 --> 00:32:15.019 but in what way are we to be judged by the, 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.460 this law of freedom? 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.559 Okay. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:19.660 I think this is really important. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.640 And, 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.019 uh, 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:27.440 in Matthew 18, 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:29.139 verse 21, 00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:32.440 there's the parable of the unforgiving servant. 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.500 You guys remember that? 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.599 Where, 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:34.940 uh, 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.960 the man had the debt. 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.960 I'm just going to read it really quickly. 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.279 Uh, 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:45.000 and we'll see kind of maybe what the law of liberty might look more like. 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:46.500 Matthew 18, 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.139 21 says, 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.420 therefore, 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:53.000 the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.559 servants. 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:56.059 And when he began to settle, 00:32:57.259 --> 00:33:00.579 one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:03.079 And since he could not pay, 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:11.519 his master ordered him to be sold with his wife and his children and all that he had and 00:33:11.519 --> 00:33:12.440 the payment to be made. 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:15.259 So the servant fell on his knees, 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.079 imploring him, 00:33:16.180 --> 00:33:18.839 have patience with me and I will pay you everything. 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.779 Now to pity for him, 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:24.639 the master of that servant released him and forgave him the dead. 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.460 And when the serve, 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:29.279 when the same servant went out, 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:36.220 he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii and seizing him, 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:38.000 he began to choke him saying, 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.039 pay what you owe. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:47.039 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him or fell down pleading with him and said, 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:49.480 have patience with me and I will pay you. 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:54.480 He refused and went out and put him in prison until you should pay the debt. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:57.460 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:58.759 they were greatly distressed. 00:33:59.720 --> 00:34:01.559 And when they went and reported to their master, 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.759 all that had taken place, 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.980 then his master summoned him and said, 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.200 you wicked servant, 00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:08.480 I forgave you all that debt because, 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.139 as you pleaded with me. 00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:14.500 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, 00:34:14.779 --> 00:34:15.539 as I have, 00:34:15.779 --> 00:34:17.539 I had mercy on you. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.800 And in anger, 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:24.059 his master delivered him to the jailers until he should pay all his debt. 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.159 Okay. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.279 A lot at work here. 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:28.180 Um, 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:34.780 but the principle of this is the law says you got to pay all the debt. 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.860 Okay. 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.260 The master, 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:41.800 he could have been a just abider of, 00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:43.580 of the law and said, 00:34:43.660 --> 00:34:43.880 Nope, 00:34:44.300 --> 00:34:46.019 doesn't matter how much you plead. 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:48.060 Patience doesn't matter. 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:50.080 If I work according to the law, 00:34:50.260 --> 00:34:51.519 you got to pay all of it. 00:34:51.700 --> 00:34:52.220 Let's go. 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.099 Right. 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.500 But instead of that, 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.500 he showed him mercy. 00:34:56.379 --> 00:34:57.119 Instead of that, 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:58.439 he gave him forgiveness. 00:34:58.959 --> 00:35:00.439 Says he forgave all the debt. 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:01.459 Okay. 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:02.519 Now, 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:06.500 that's not a law in the sense that it's, 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:09.179 he's abiding by a specific set of rules, 00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.500 but more, 00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:14.099 he's using his authority to create a law as a, 00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:16.959 more of a declaration type of thing, 00:35:17.299 --> 00:35:17.399 a, 00:35:17.399 --> 00:35:18.399 a more of a decree, 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:20.740 a decree of mercy and forgiveness, 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:22.260 a truth, 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:24.280 a law in that sense. 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:29.340 And I think that can be similarly applied as the law of liberty here. 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:31.840 So if we look back in verse 12, 00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:33.079 uh, 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.480 it says, 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:36.880 so speak and act as those who are going to be judged under the law of liberty. 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:39.099 If the liberty is, 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:40.340 if the law of liberty is this, 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.960 you've been forgiven so much. 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:45.720 And Christ has lifted so much of your burden, 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:47.000 taking all of your debt away. 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.039 Right. 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.239 If that, 00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:48.900 if that's the, 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.219 the, 00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:49.820 the rule, 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:50.559 right. 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.659 If that's the law, 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.880 then, 00:35:52.880 --> 00:35:53.579 um, 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:57.760 act and speak in light of that. 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:01.280 Act and speak in a way that you're going to be judged under that. 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.599 If you take, 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:07.380 if you so speak and so act as the wicked servant did, 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.860 um, 00:36:09.159 --> 00:36:11.780 the judgment's not going to look too good. 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:12.659 Right. 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.500 How can, 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.599 how can you say, 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:15.659 you know, 00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:16.519 um, 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:20.279 God forgave me and I'm so thankful for it. 00:36:20.279 --> 00:36:22.859 And then not speak like that, 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.899 act like that, 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.879 grab your friend, 00:36:25.500 --> 00:36:26.420 metaphorically speaking, 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:26.920 right. 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:28.599 And not forgive him. 00:36:29.759 --> 00:36:30.059 He thought, 00:36:30.179 --> 00:36:31.779 I think this runs all the way through this, 00:36:31.899 --> 00:36:33.599 this chapter with partiality. 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.440 How can you treat other people, 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.579 not extend mercy, 00:36:36.819 --> 00:36:37.279 grace, 00:36:37.839 --> 00:36:38.139 you know, 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:38.639 pardon, 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.799 um, 00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:43.879 however cringy and however messy other people are. 00:36:44.219 --> 00:36:46.099 When God treated you, 00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:48.819 one may be cringy and messy yourself, 00:36:48.819 --> 00:36:49.819 uh, 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:51.059 with mercy and grace. 00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:51.719 Right. 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:54.339 So it's not, 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:57.639 it's not to be judged under the law that condemns us, 00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:59.639 but more the law that actually sets us free, 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:01.359 that gives us grace. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.920 And so, 00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.699 um, 00:37:03.839 --> 00:37:05.239 he finishes by saying, 00:37:05.239 --> 00:37:09.219 for judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. 00:37:09.219 --> 00:37:11.159 I think you see that in that parable really clearly, 00:37:11.659 --> 00:37:11.939 right. 00:37:12.719 --> 00:37:14.439 Mercy triumphs over judgment. 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:16.739 That's a cool phrase because, 00:37:16.739 --> 00:37:17.819 um, 00:37:18.359 --> 00:37:21.459 how often are we tempted to see the value in judgment, 00:37:21.839 --> 00:37:22.519 right? 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:22.919 Like, 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:23.500 ah, 00:37:23.539 --> 00:37:25.219 I think judgment is more valuable. 00:37:25.619 --> 00:37:26.199 You know, 00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:30.239 how often do we husbands with our wives want to say the thing we ought not to 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:30.539 say, 00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:33.839 because we genuinely think that is more valuable. 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:37.000 That will do the trick that will persuade her. 00:37:37.600 --> 00:37:37.760 You know, 00:37:37.940 --> 00:37:40.000 she'll finally see or vice versa. 00:37:40.120 --> 00:37:41.280 Maybe wives to your husbands. 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.100 It doesn't matter. 00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:43.220 Uh, 00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:44.680 when in reality, 00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:46.840 the scripture says mercy triumphs, 00:37:47.579 --> 00:37:49.019 mercy actually wins. 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:53.900 Mercy makes you see right judgment that is without mercy condemns. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:56.220 And the thing is, 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:56.760 um, 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:58.559 it would be unrighteous for us to do that. 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:02.940 But the good news of the gospel is that it would actually be righteous for God 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:05.440 to do that to us in justice. 00:38:05.440 --> 00:38:09.200 Since he's the only one righteous is the only righteous judge. 00:38:09.420 --> 00:38:13.460 We deserve God's sentence of, 00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:14.440 uh, 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.079 judgment, 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:17.119 but as it stands, 00:38:17.260 --> 00:38:19.659 we haven't received that because of Christ. 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:20.700 You know, 00:38:20.740 --> 00:38:21.980 how much more do we, 00:38:22.139 --> 00:38:28.079 does that influence us to live our lives differently than we're tempted to? 00:38:28.720 --> 00:38:29.059 Right? 00:38:29.059 --> 00:38:29.559 Um, 00:38:29.559 --> 00:38:32.940 that's verse 13. 00:38:33.739 --> 00:38:34.079 Um, 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:37.799 I have a couple points. 00:38:40.159 --> 00:38:41.139 To finish. 00:38:41.840 --> 00:38:42.179 Um, 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:49.380 but as I was preparing and thinking about this topic, 00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:50.059 uh, 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:55.619 partiality is just kind of one of those things that comes and goes that I'm tempted 00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.039 with, 00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:59.039 but I realized I have more of a, 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.420 uh, 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.019 like I should, 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:03.480 I should view it more as like a severe sin, 00:39:03.779 --> 00:39:04.299 you know, 00:39:04.359 --> 00:39:06.759 because of where it comes from. 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.400 It basically, 00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.599 I basically say in my heart, 00:39:09.659 --> 00:39:09.859 God, 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:11.619 I'm really not that grateful for your, 00:39:11.619 --> 00:39:12.759 uh, 00:39:13.619 --> 00:39:16.079 impartiality towards me, 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:16.920 you know, 00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:17.920 and, 00:39:18.039 --> 00:39:18.179 um, 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.239 that leads me into, 00:39:19.239 --> 00:39:20.759 uh, 00:39:20.799 --> 00:39:23.859 three closing points or exhortations. 00:39:23.860 --> 00:39:25.059 Um, 00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:27.460 which I think can apply to our church. 00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:28.519 Um, 00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.700 if not presently, 00:39:29.700 --> 00:39:30.180 you know, 00:39:30.180 --> 00:39:31.519 that we're immersed in this sin, 00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.700 I don't think we are, 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:36.099 would guard us in our hearts as we relate to one another. 00:39:36.099 --> 00:39:38.739 And even those coming in to our church. 00:39:39.159 --> 00:39:40.059 And so, 00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:41.400 uh, 00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:42.139 number one, 00:39:42.739 --> 00:39:45.759 number one is no, 00:39:45.759 --> 00:39:46.380 uh, 00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:47.079 distinctions, 00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:48.759 no distinctions. 00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:49.940 Uh, 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.380 there's a verse, 00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:53.819 I think it's in first Corinthians or second Corinthians five. 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.679 It says, 00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:56.259 we regard no one anymore. 00:39:56.259 --> 00:39:57.299 According to the flesh, 00:39:57.299 --> 00:39:58.400 you know, 00:39:58.480 --> 00:39:59.940 getting at the distinctions, 00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:00.900 right? 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:03.360 But we're all one in Christ. 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:03.819 Okay. 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.600 No distinctions. 00:40:05.519 --> 00:40:06.400 Romans 10, 00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:07.240 12 says, 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:09.160 speaking of distinctions, 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:17.380 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek for the same Lord is Lord of all, 00:40:17.760 --> 00:40:20.600 but stowing riches on all who call on him. 00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:22.100 So there, 00:40:22.180 --> 00:40:23.559 there's the distinction language. 00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:25.420 And then there's the riches language, 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:25.760 right? 00:40:25.780 --> 00:40:27.120 We're talking about the rich and the poor, 00:40:27.120 --> 00:40:29.140 but Romans 10, 00:40:29.220 --> 00:40:29.860 12 says, 00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:32.160 for there's no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, 00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:34.819 for the same Lord is Lord of all, 00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:37.099 bestowing riches on all who call on him. 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:39.980 Uh, 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:41.480 if you want to, 00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:41.960 uh, 00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:44.399 if you're really immersed in this and you're having a hard time, 00:40:44.399 --> 00:40:47.039 I would encourage you to read the book of Romans, 00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:48.119 uh, 00:40:48.279 --> 00:40:49.079 on this issue, 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:51.440 specifically the first three chapters. 00:40:52.659 --> 00:40:53.139 Uh, 00:40:53.319 --> 00:40:54.359 in chapter one, 00:40:54.440 --> 00:40:55.440 we see that God, 00:40:55.739 --> 00:40:56.399 uh, 00:40:56.739 --> 00:40:57.619 through Paul writes, 00:40:57.619 --> 00:41:05.019 and Paul delivers a pretty fatal blow to the Gentiles by explaining how they're so utterly wicked and corrupt, 00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:06.739 debased in mind, 00:41:06.739 --> 00:41:07.559 right? 00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:10.059 He paints a horrible picture of the Gentiles. 00:41:10.219 --> 00:41:11.980 And then maybe a Jew's listening to that. 00:41:12.059 --> 00:41:12.380 And they're like, 00:41:12.759 --> 00:41:13.159 yes, 00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:15.059 those Gentiles. 00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:16.699 But then in chapter two, 00:41:17.579 --> 00:41:19.460 he paints an equally as damning, 00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:19.880 uh, 00:41:19.880 --> 00:41:21.659 picture of the Jews. 00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:23.000 And says that they don't, 00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:24.099 they don't have an excuse. 00:41:24.820 --> 00:41:25.099 They're, 00:41:25.099 --> 00:41:26.880 they're like them in a different sense, 00:41:27.219 --> 00:41:27.779 but, 00:41:27.900 --> 00:41:28.860 but guilty as well. 00:41:29.099 --> 00:41:30.199 And then chapter three, 00:41:30.320 --> 00:41:31.900 he takes both of those people, 00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:33.500 wants them in the same category, 00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:34.199 and says, 00:41:34.219 --> 00:41:35.139 there's no one righteous. 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:36.420 Okay. 00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:38.880 And that's where we get in Romans three, 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.340 where he, 00:41:39.380 --> 00:41:41.800 he says that there's no distinctions. 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.400 Uh, 00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:44.300 both Jews, 00:41:44.659 --> 00:41:45.340 both Greeks, 00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:49.480 which could probably encompass the whole human race are under sin. 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:51.039 Why? 00:41:51.240 --> 00:41:51.579 Why? 00:41:51.720 --> 00:41:57.480 Romans says so that every mouth may be stopped and every person held accountable before God. 00:41:57.820 --> 00:41:58.220 Right? 00:41:58.280 --> 00:42:00.500 All of us in this room have, 00:42:00.500 --> 00:42:01.519 uh, 00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:04.639 shared in the same spiritual death, 00:42:04.740 --> 00:42:05.700 which is sin. 00:42:05.699 --> 00:42:09.219 And all of us are held accountable before God. 00:42:10.379 --> 00:42:10.399 And, 00:42:10.500 --> 00:42:12.139 and Paul, 00:42:12.259 --> 00:42:14.000 um, 00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:17.019 paints that picture in a very slow way, 00:42:17.359 --> 00:42:17.919 but, 00:42:17.980 --> 00:42:18.199 um, 00:42:18.199 --> 00:42:20.679 even more glorious one about the remedy for that, 00:42:21.279 --> 00:42:23.759 which you see in Romans seven and eight, 00:42:23.859 --> 00:42:24.799 even in six, 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:26.799 about how Christ has come, 00:42:27.279 --> 00:42:30.899 set us free from the law and, 00:42:30.899 --> 00:42:31.480 uh, 00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:33.279 the condemnation that the law brings. 00:42:34.279 --> 00:42:35.119 And so, 00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:37.000 that's point number one, 00:42:37.059 --> 00:42:37.819 no distinctions. 00:42:38.299 --> 00:42:39.460 All of us have, 00:42:39.460 --> 00:42:40.259 uh, 00:42:40.339 --> 00:42:41.900 sin that we can share, 00:42:42.179 --> 00:42:42.699 you know, 00:42:42.920 --> 00:42:47.420 and that means all of us need to share in something, 00:42:47.420 --> 00:42:48.659 uh, 00:42:48.920 --> 00:42:50.079 even greater than that, 00:42:50.099 --> 00:42:50.779 that will save us. 00:42:50.779 --> 00:42:51.000 Right? 00:42:51.079 --> 00:42:51.779 That's Christ, 00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:52.960 the same Lord of all. 00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:55.780 So, 00:42:55.780 --> 00:42:56.860 make no distinctions. 00:42:58.480 --> 00:42:59.579 Point number two, 00:43:00.159 --> 00:43:00.579 um, 00:43:01.300 --> 00:43:03.400 is, 00:43:03.519 --> 00:43:04.260 uh, 00:43:04.760 --> 00:43:06.300 repenting from partiality. 00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:07.099 So, 00:43:07.179 --> 00:43:08.059 if you find yourself in, 00:43:08.119 --> 00:43:08.480 in, 00:43:08.539 --> 00:43:09.619 in this sin, 00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:11.579 or maybe tomorrow you're tempted with it, 00:43:11.579 --> 00:43:12.940 um, 00:43:12.940 --> 00:43:15.960 there's a couple things to consider. 00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:16.360 One, 00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:18.240 in second Corinthians eight, 00:43:18.320 --> 00:43:19.000 verse nine, 00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:19.880 it says, 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:20.440 for, 00:43:20.579 --> 00:43:20.980 you know, 00:43:21.119 --> 00:43:22.900 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:43:23.579 --> 00:43:25.139 that though he was rich, 00:43:25.400 --> 00:43:26.700 yet for your sake, 00:43:26.760 --> 00:43:27.619 he became poor, 00:43:27.619 --> 00:43:30.159 so that you, 00:43:30.300 --> 00:43:31.179 by his poverty, 00:43:31.179 --> 00:43:32.400 might become rich. 00:43:32.400 --> 00:43:34.200 It's an, 00:43:34.260 --> 00:43:35.300 an amazing verse. 00:43:36.300 --> 00:43:37.559 Josh preached a message, 00:43:37.700 --> 00:43:38.000 I think, 00:43:38.079 --> 00:43:38.940 a while ago about, 00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:39.500 uh, 00:43:39.800 --> 00:43:41.340 becoming relationship poor, 00:43:41.680 --> 00:43:44.099 so that others become relationship rich. 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:46.660 I think this concept is really practical 00:43:46.660 --> 00:43:48.720 when we're being tempted with partiality. 00:43:49.619 --> 00:43:49.880 Uh, 00:43:50.680 --> 00:43:53.079 this is a great way to actually repent 00:43:53.079 --> 00:43:54.619 of partiality, 00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.820 is to, 00:43:55.920 --> 00:43:57.860 is to think of the person that you're partial towards, 00:43:58.360 --> 00:44:00.059 and instead of avoiding them, 00:44:00.200 --> 00:44:01.220 and closing your heart to them, 00:44:01.219 --> 00:44:03.939 become poor to yourself. 00:44:05.139 --> 00:44:05.659 Okay, 00:44:05.699 --> 00:44:06.319 I'm going to say that again. 00:44:06.559 --> 00:44:08.539 Become poor to yourself, 00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:10.219 and rich towards them. 00:44:12.439 --> 00:44:12.959 Why, 00:44:12.959 --> 00:44:13.219 why, 00:44:13.219 --> 00:44:15.239 why should we be motivated to do that? 00:44:15.659 --> 00:44:16.859 Second Corinthians eight, 00:44:16.919 --> 00:44:17.259 nine, 00:44:17.899 --> 00:44:18.839 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:44:18.959 --> 00:44:20.059 though he was rich, 00:44:20.359 --> 00:44:21.319 yet for your sake, 00:44:21.399 --> 00:44:22.159 became poor, 00:44:22.919 --> 00:44:23.859 so that you, 00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:24.719 by his poverty, 00:44:24.859 --> 00:44:25.759 might become rich. 00:44:26.099 --> 00:44:26.619 Okay, 00:44:26.639 --> 00:44:29.159 we're interested in building other people. 00:44:30.059 --> 00:44:31.159 Partiality is self-sacrifice, 00:44:31.219 --> 00:44:31.500 seeking. 00:44:31.939 --> 00:44:34.439 It only cares about its own, 00:44:34.799 --> 00:44:35.079 right? 00:44:35.899 --> 00:44:36.139 Let, 00:44:36.139 --> 00:44:37.939 let us become poor to ourselves, 00:44:38.079 --> 00:44:39.039 and rich towards others. 00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:39.819 Okay, 00:44:40.219 --> 00:44:42.199 that's how we repent from partiality. 00:44:43.519 --> 00:44:44.299 And then, 00:44:44.500 --> 00:44:44.859 um, 00:44:45.299 --> 00:44:46.079 point number three, 00:44:46.599 --> 00:44:47.459 remember the gospel. 00:44:47.859 --> 00:44:49.279 I've been exhorting us this whole time, 00:44:49.319 --> 00:44:49.599 I think, 00:44:49.639 --> 00:44:50.459 to remember the gospel, 00:44:50.619 --> 00:44:50.799 but, 00:44:51.199 --> 00:44:51.859 um, 00:44:51.860 --> 00:44:53.700 I think now I want to actually preach it. 00:44:54.220 --> 00:44:54.420 Okay? 00:44:54.920 --> 00:44:57.920 We need to remember that the gospel is not partial. 00:44:58.599 --> 00:44:59.980 The gospel is not changing. 00:45:00.460 --> 00:45:01.760 The gospel is unchanging. 00:45:02.760 --> 00:45:03.860 Remember that today, 00:45:03.860 --> 00:45:08.059 if God decided to bring down a thorough reckoning, 00:45:08.579 --> 00:45:11.599 and call to account every sin known and unknown, 00:45:12.599 --> 00:45:16.180 that apart from the finished work of a man named Jesus Christ, 00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:18.019 two thousand years ago, 00:45:18.140 --> 00:45:20.000 we would all be lost eternally. 00:45:20.440 --> 00:45:21.400 End of story. 00:45:21.880 --> 00:45:22.160 Right? 00:45:22.159 --> 00:45:23.879 But as it is, 00:45:24.519 --> 00:45:26.139 in a world gasping for air, 00:45:26.299 --> 00:45:26.980 it feels like, 00:45:27.960 --> 00:45:31.460 striving to manufacture the next scapegoat for their sins, 00:45:32.359 --> 00:45:34.519 riddled with partiality, 00:45:36.719 --> 00:45:37.980 Jew blaming or not, 00:45:38.940 --> 00:45:42.259 God the Father has already provided the scapegoat, 00:45:42.319 --> 00:45:43.440 and blamed the Jew, 00:45:44.519 --> 00:45:46.420 by hanging him on a cross, 00:45:47.259 --> 00:45:49.960 and thus satisfying the ruthless demands of the law, 00:45:50.079 --> 00:45:50.980 once and for all. 00:45:52.159 --> 00:45:53.219 Not only that, 00:45:53.279 --> 00:45:55.940 but to prove his work was accomplished, 00:45:56.119 --> 00:45:58.460 he rose from the grave three days later, 00:45:59.359 --> 00:46:00.259 receiving the name, 00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:01.920 firstborn from the dead, 00:46:03.059 --> 00:46:06.279 guaranteeing that he would see his children after him. 00:46:06.940 --> 00:46:08.879 This is an amazing truth, guys. 00:46:11.739 --> 00:46:13.259 Jesus was crucified, 00:46:13.899 --> 00:46:17.420 so that you and your sins would be buried with him, 00:46:18.139 --> 00:46:19.339 including partiality. 00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:22.079 Jesus rose from the dead, 00:46:22.159 --> 00:46:26.000 so that you and not your sins would rise with him. 00:46:27.679 --> 00:46:28.159 So, 00:46:28.399 --> 00:46:29.879 wherever you find yourself, 00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:32.579 either impartiality or any sin, 00:46:33.559 --> 00:46:36.480 let that be buried with Christ, 00:46:36.480 --> 00:46:39.340 and let your new man, 00:46:39.340 --> 00:46:40.519 which God has purchased, 00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:41.460 rise with him, 00:46:41.699 --> 00:46:42.099 clean, 00:46:42.260 --> 00:46:42.639 forgiven, 00:46:43.119 --> 00:46:45.320 and walk in newness of life, 00:46:45.440 --> 00:46:46.300 Romans 6 says. 00:46:49.099 --> 00:46:50.599 He took all of the lust, 00:46:50.760 --> 00:46:51.119 anger, 00:46:51.360 --> 00:46:51.760 malice, 00:46:51.900 --> 00:46:52.219 greed, 00:46:52.440 --> 00:46:53.240 ungratefulness, 00:46:53.380 --> 00:46:54.019 idolatry, 00:46:54.260 --> 00:46:54.579 and yes, 00:46:54.619 --> 00:46:55.820 the sin of partiality, 00:46:56.199 --> 00:46:57.639 and laid them upon his son, 00:46:57.760 --> 00:46:59.320 as if he was guilty of all of them. 00:46:59.320 --> 00:47:03.500 all to bring us to God. 00:47:04.840 --> 00:47:07.960 If we forget the good news of the gospel, 00:47:08.680 --> 00:47:10.580 we will be partial Christians, 00:47:10.920 --> 00:47:12.559 which is no Christian at all. 00:47:13.380 --> 00:47:13.519 Right? 00:47:14.240 --> 00:47:16.420 This is the bedrock of our faith, 00:47:16.620 --> 00:47:20.900 of the impartial God coming down and saving a partial people. 00:47:21.900 --> 00:47:22.059 Right? 00:47:23.220 --> 00:47:23.639 So, 00:47:24.280 --> 00:47:24.740 the Lord 00:47:24.740 --> 00:47:26.680 bids us come 00:47:26.680 --> 00:47:27.639 and bids us welcome. 00:47:29.240 --> 00:47:30.160 Before I pray, 00:47:30.920 --> 00:47:33.200 if any of you feel like, 00:47:33.900 --> 00:47:37.720 maybe not necessarily that you're entrenched in partiality, 00:47:38.119 --> 00:47:40.119 but that you feel you need to repent 00:47:40.119 --> 00:47:41.320 of 00:47:41.320 --> 00:47:43.460 specific sins, 00:47:43.660 --> 00:47:45.860 or that you've just forgotten the gospel. 00:47:46.639 --> 00:47:46.880 It's that, 00:47:46.980 --> 00:47:47.160 Lord, 00:47:47.320 --> 00:47:48.980 I've just forgotten the good news. 00:47:49.460 --> 00:47:50.539 I've forgotten 00:47:50.539 --> 00:47:51.659 what you've done for me. 00:47:52.360 --> 00:47:54.579 I've started to treat others, 00:47:54.880 --> 00:47:56.019 maybe with judgment, 00:47:56.320 --> 00:47:57.440 when it should have been mercy, 00:47:57.880 --> 00:47:58.940 as you've shown me. 00:47:59.259 --> 00:48:00.019 Then I would just 00:48:00.019 --> 00:48:01.739 exhort all of you guys, 00:48:02.259 --> 00:48:03.059 whoever that is, 00:48:03.300 --> 00:48:04.179 to repent today. 00:48:04.960 --> 00:48:06.179 And let those sins 00:48:06.179 --> 00:48:07.699 die again. 00:48:07.920 --> 00:48:08.119 Right? 00:48:08.500 --> 00:48:09.440 Be buried with Christ. 00:48:09.440 --> 00:48:35.380 do you 00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:35.380 00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:35.380 00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:35.380