Favoritism
Forbidden
My
brothers,
As
Believers in our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ,
Don't
show Favoritism.
2
Suppose a man cones into your meeting
Wearing
as gold ring and fine clothes,
And
a Poor man in shabby clothes also come 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:
HAS
GOD NOT 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 Insulted the Poor.
IS
IT NOT THE RICH WHO ARE EXPLOITING YOU?
ARE
THEY NOT THE ONES WHO ARE DRAGGING YOU INTO COURT?
ARE
THEY NOT THE ONES
WHO
ARE SLANDERING 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 IN JUST ONE POINT
IS
GUILTY OF BREAKING ALL OF IT.
11
For He who said , 'Do not Commit Adultery,'
Also
said,'Do not Commit 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 JUDGEMENT!
Faith
And Deeds
14
What good is it, my brothers,
If
a man claims to have Faith
BUT
HAS NO DEEDS?
CAN
SUCH A FAITH SAVE HIM?
15
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
16
If one of you says to him,
'God,
I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,'
But
does nothing about his Physical needs,
WHAT
GOOD IS IT?
17
IN THE SAME WAY, FAITH 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 WHAT I DO.
YOU
BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ONE GOD.
GOOD!
EVEN
THE DEMONS BELIEVE THAT--
AND SHUDDER.
20
You Foolish man,
Do
you want Evidence that Faith without Deeds is Useless?
21
Was not our Ancestor Abraham considered Righteous
For
what he did
When
he offered his son Isaac on the Alter?
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 tat says,
'ABRAHAM
BELIEVED GOD,
AND
IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,'
AND
HE WAS CALLED GOD'S FRIEND.
24
YOU SEE A PERSON IS JUSTIFIED BY WHAT HE DOES
AND
NOT BY 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.
(James
2)
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