James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, must not show favoritism.
In the following few verses, James uses an example of two people coming into the worship service, one clad in the finest apparel and someone that is not as well off clad in soiled old clothes. James says that if we give preference to the rich person over the poor person, we have become "judges with evil thoughts." James referred to Christ Jesus as glorious because He is the one that reveals and discloses the glory of God. Christ Jesus is the glory of all Christians because He is the pinnacle and apex of God. Christ Jesus is both co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. When He came to earth, this glory had been His since before the world's creation (John 17:5; 1:14; 1 Corinthians 2:8).
James wrote this letter during a time and age filled with prejudice and hatred based on class, culture, race, and religious background. When the Book of James was written, people characterized others because they were Jew or Gentile, enslaved or free, rich or poor. Showing favoritism conveys that we hold one person up in respect or esteem over another. The world gives preference and shows partiality to those more well-off financially. In this country, there is not supposed to be a class system. However, try to be seated in the first-class section on an airplane with a coach ticket. When we treat someone differently because of their outward and worldly deeds or attainments, we make distinctions that God does not render. God is impartial in His interaction with all people. He does not show a difference in someone because of their wealth or wisdom. Everything on this earth is His, and the wisdom of humanity is minuscule and unseen compared to God's wisdom. Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, will not see or give preference to place, face, race, or grace (Deuteronomy 10:17).
God holds us up where we should hold ourselves to His standards. Therefore, if we want to compare ourselves with another, always compare ourselves with Christ Jesus. If we compare ourselves with another person, we might mistakenly believe we have reached the Plateau; when we compare ourselves with Christ Jesus, we will see that there will always be upward progress to be made. Some unsurrendered to Christ Jesus, not born again washed in His precious blood, will naturally have a materialistic outlook on life, feeling like they must compete with those around them. Instead, as Christians, we should look at everyone in and through our relationship with Christ Jesus. We should not judge anyone by their outward appearance but by who they are (Proverbs 28:21).
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