Impartial Love

(James 2:1-13)

Favoritism/Partiality

Demonstrating favoritism

Is a sin
Makes us a judge (When only God is entitled to judge, because only He sees into the heart)
(see Rom. 4:13)
Reveals evil desires (wrong motives) in the heart
Shows disrespect
Causes resentment & division among God’s people
Holds back church growth
Impedes the work of the Holy Spirit
Often comes from taking a fleshly view (a focus on outward appearances) (1 Sam. 16:6-7)

Favoritism is a poor witness

Mother Teresa said, “If we don’t accept Jesus in one another, we will not be able to give him
to others.”

In his autobiography, Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously
and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could
find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he
decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a
Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and
suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned.
"If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That
usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as
Savior.

General Robert E. Lee was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. It is said that soon after the end of the
American Civil War, he visited a church in Washington, D.C. During the communion service, he
knelt beside a black man. An onlooker said to him later, "How could you do that?" Lee replied, "My
friend, all ground is level beneath the cross."

Given half a chance, people often crawl out of the boxes into which we’ve relegated them.

God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:15 & 34; Rom. 2:11; 3:29-30; Eph. 2:14-19; Gal. 3:26-29

Agape Love

The New Testament uses the term agapeo (Gk.) nearly 150 times. It means an active and beneficent,
interest in, and concern for, the well-being of another. It involves self-sacrifice. It suggests
closeness/intimacy. It is given unconditionally and unselfishly. It involves a clear determination of will
and judgment (i.e. a responsible choice). A loving person, honestly (Rom. 12:9) gives respect and
demonstrates compassion. Demonstrating such love often requires courage. The source of such love
comes “from above” (James 1:17). See also 1 Cor.13:4-8 for a list of additional characteristics of such
love.
Mercy

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”. (Matt 5:7)

One Hebrew word for mercy is “Checed” which means to get inside someone’s skin, to look at where
they view life and feel what they are experiencing; to move in and act on behalf of the one who’s
hurting. That is exactly what Jesus did when He chose to leave the comfort and glory of Heaven to
become one of us. Mercy has also been defined as compassionate treatment, having the disposition to
be kind and forgiving.

Another Hebrew word translated "mercy" is hesed (Greek: eleos). It can be rendered: "mercy,"
"extraordinary kindness," "loving-kindness," “abundant love” or "unfailing love." Literally it means
to bow out of kindness to an inferior.

We are required to not only show mercy but to love mercy (implies a deep devotion to/passion for).

We are called to love are neighbor as ourselves. (Luke 10:25)

The “Golden Rule” , i.e. to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is an example
of a value common to many cultures/religions (Mahabharata 5:1517, Hinduism, Talmud, Shabbat
31a & Leviticus 19:18, Judaism, Matthew 7:12, Christianity, Udana-Varga 5:18, Buddhism,
Analects 15:23, Confucianism, Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths.", Islam)

Jesus clarifies the meaning of this in the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:30-37).

The Samaritan went out of his way to do something, freely and willingly, he took the initiative
to get involved in a situation where a person was in need, with no expectation of repayment or
reciprocity. Notice the race, ethnicity, religion, etc. of the victim is not made plain here. Why?
Because it shouldn’t matter!

When Jesus asked the lawyer "Who was the neighbor?" the lawyer replied, "The one who had
mercy on him." Jesus then told him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).

Who is My Neighbor?

The word in Greek & English refers to one who is or resides nearby.

The word in Hebrew refers to a caregiver, like a shepherd, who feeds, protects, etc.

We have been directed by God to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev. 19:18, Matt.
5:43, 19:19, 22:39, Mark 12:31-33, Luke 10:27, Rom 13:9-10, Gal. 5:14, James 2:8)

Neighborly behavior is an aspect of the Kingdom of God (Isa. 41:6-7)

There are many other times in the Bible where God reminds us of his mercy, and commands us to be
merciful in return. (Consider the stories of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32, the Rich Man and
Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31, and the Unmerciful Servant, Matt. 18:21-35)

Jesus told us "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to
call the righteous, but sinners." (Matt. 9:13 quoting Hosea 6:6, see also Matt. 12:7)
An old Russian Proverb states that mercy/clemency is the support of justice. This is echoed in
James 2:13, "Mercy triumphs over judgment."

Showing mercy has its own rewards. (Prov. 14:21-22 & 31)

Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." (Matt 5:7) and "Forgive
us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." (Matt. 6:12)

In seeking pardon from our Father for our sin, we must be able to approach Him with a clear
conscience. When I ask to be forgiven for my sins, can I say that I have been forgiving to
others who have wronged me? Have I shown others mercy in the manner I hope to receive
from my Lord?

The ability to demonstrate mercy is a spiritual gift and should be given cheerfully. (Rom.
12:6-8)

Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice:

The quality of mercy is not strained;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.

Mercy shows our Christian character and draws others to us, as it drew sinners to Jesus. (Luke 7:44-
47)

It seems a very small boy was sent out on the streets of New York City to sell apples. Some
other boys with a real streak of meanness ran around a corner and knocked the boy and his
apple cart for a loop. A man came by at that time and helped the boy get up and then picked
up his cart and helped set the apples in place. He then bought several of the damaged apples
from the boy and gave him a large tip in addition to paying for the apples. As he walked away
he was startled to hear the boy call out, "Hey mister, are you Jesus?" God-like mercy/kindness
is extraordinary and therefore stands out and is easy to recognize.