In James 2:1-13, James speaks to us about an issue that is common among Christians, as well as the population in general. It is the showing of favoritism - showing preference to those who are more important than others or wealthier than others or who can benefit us more than others. In fact, James calls this behavior a judgement of others and evil. “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,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

James defines favoritism as when we think less of those who are different than us, or who cannot do anything for us. It can be hidden in our hearts, or it can be evident in our actions. Favoritism is at the heart even of racism, where we elevate one group in our thinking or actions and see others as beneath us in some way. What we are really doing when we show favoritism, says James, is to judge those who we look down on as less worthy than we, and he calls that evil. Strong words indeed. 

He continues, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” The antidote to showing favoritism is to live out the royal law of Scripture to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” You see, none of us like to be looked down on or judged. None of us like to be marginalized or be invisible to others. None of us like to be treated as “less than” by others, so living out the royal law means that we will not do any of those things to others. In God’s sight we are equal. The cross of Jesus is the great leveler. 

The Apostle closes this teaching with these words: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.” - James 2:12-13

James reminds us that we are accountable for our attitudes, words, actions and thoughts. He is calling us to a higher standard than our world lives by. In the world, relationships are determined by what others can give back to us. In the Kingdom, we treat one another the way Christ treats us. This is the Royal Law.

And then this wonderful phrase that every one of us ought to live by: “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” Take a moment and think of all the judgmental thoughts we have on any given day or with people or populations we look down on and then listen to these words again. “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” Jesus said the same thing in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Remember today that any favoritism we show, any people we put down in our hearts, any time we don’t live by the royal law, we are passing judgment on another individual. And then remember that Mercy always triumphs over judgement. Let us choose mercy over judgement. It is what Jesus did, and does, for us.

Father, I know I have been guilty of judging others all too often. Forgive me and remind me when I have judgmental thoughts that You gave me mercy. Help me to remember always that mercy triumphs over judgment. Help me to be known for my mercy and love, not my judgment and pride. Amen.