Favoritism & The Types of Faith | Living your Best Life Week 2 | Pastor Chad Fagundes

Favoritism & The Types of Faith

Living your Best Life Week 2

Pastor Chad Fagundes

Two Points of Clarification as we move forward in the book of James: 

1. James isn’t talking about doing more, he’s giving an examination of what we are. 
2. James isn’t contradicting the doctrine of justification in the book of Romans, which is saved by grace, he is completing the picture. 

The sin of Favoritism v.1-13 NIV: 

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 5:46-48

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Further insight into the passage: 

• Parable about the good samaritan- Luke 10:25-37 
• Parable of the unforgiving servant- Matthew 18: 21-35
• Judging others- Matthew 7:1-6

Questions we should ask: 

What is favoritism? 

It is the act of making unfair distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong, such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. It’s discrimination that is founded on superficial observations.

And why is it evil? 

Favoritism is taking the seat of the judge and judging incorrectly. 

Is it wrong to judge? 

No, but the Bible clearly tells us how to judge: To be merciful. 

How to be good judge: v.8-13

1. Understand that all sin condemns & the measurement we use to judge will influence how we will be judged. 
2. Understand that our measurement of judgment impacts our own Faith.  

Types of Faith: v.14-26

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by (intellectual) faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Further insight into the passage: Matthew 7:21-27

Three types of Faith: 

1. Dead Faith: Dead faith is only Intellectual. 

2. Demonic Faith: Demonic Faith is Intellectual & Emotional.

3. Living Faith:  Intellectual, Emotional, & is marked with active obedience that leads to transformation.