Sin’s ‘nice hierarchy’

In our series on ‘Respectable Sins’, James uncovered our terrible favouritism and snobbery last time (James 2: 1-7), shown in the way we treat those we think are beneath us or above us in status.

‘My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favouritism.’ Jesus is not interested in our definition of worthy. He is looking for sinners to save – be they rich or poor. He is looking for recipients of His grace; that includes all of us! Our worth is found – only in Him.

James has more to say on this: ‘If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers’ (James 2: 8-9).