Sermon Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQdYA3spBOg
Sermon Excerpt from James 2:1–13
Before we begin James 2, let’s hear what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That’s a good reminder, isn’t it? Because if this week has taught us anything, it’s this: the Kingdom of God is not some far-off fairy tale. No, brothers and sisters, it’s at hand, and it’s coming quickly. All the things we cling to in this life will eventually rust, rot, or fade into oblivion. And when the dust settles and the lights go out, only one thing will remain: the Kingdom of God. So I pray you seek it first, and even more, I pray you seek the King, with all that you are, in all that you do. James helps us do just that. He shows us how to be citizens of that everlasting Kingdom by calling us to live under God’s Royal Law of Love.
James starts with a hard truth: we all play favorites. He tells the story of the rich man and the poor man walking into the church, and how the rich man is treated like royalty while the poor man is dismissed. “Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” he asks. And then he brings us to the heart: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
Now listen to me—James is getting at one of the oldest and ugliest problems in the human heart: partiality. From Adam to David to today, people have loved those who are easy to love and ignored those who aren’t. And before we start patting ourselves on the back and saying, “Well, I’m glad I’m not like that,” let’s be honest, we’ve all done it. We’ve all looked down on people who couldn’t offer us anything. We’ve all chosen who to love and who to tolerate. But Jesus didn’t do that, did He? He didn’t say, “Love the rich,” or “Love the likable.” He said, “Love your neighbor.” Period.
And here’s why we struggle with that so much: we forget who God is and who we are. Somewhere along the way, we bought into the lie that God saved us because we were special. Because He saw something in us. But the Bible says otherwise. We had nothing to offer Him but our sin—and He detests sin. Yet, even so, He loved us. He sent His Son to take the wrath we earned so that we wouldn’t have to taste a drop of it. That’s the Gospel. And if that’s the love we’ve received, how can we not give it? If Christ showed no partiality in loving us, how dare we show partiality in loving others!
So how do we live this out? Two ways: 1) share the Gospel with your neighbor through the proclaimed Word of Christ, and 2) show the Gospel to your neighbor through your actions—serving them with the love of Christ. And beloved, because the love that saved us wasn’t selective, GOD doesn’t allow us to be selective.
And if you’re still tempted to say, “Well, that’s too much to ask,” then let’s remember Jesus on the Cross. As He hung there, beaten and bloodied by the very people He came to save, He didn’t curse them. He didn’t lash out. He prayed: “Father, forgive them.” He loved His enemies while they were killing Him. That’s the kind of love we’re called to. Why? Because His Spirit now lives in us. Romans 8 says the Spirit testifies that we are children of God. And Jesus said that loving your enemies is what shows you’re a child of the Father. That kind of love is what sets us apart from the world. The world says, “Love those who deserve it.” Jesus says, “Love those who don’t…because that’s what I did for you.”
James continues: “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
So let’s get practical. How do you love your sinful neighbor and still hate the sin? Two ways:
First, you condemn all sin equally. James says if you break one part of the law, you’re guilty of all of it. That means you don’t get to look at someone else’s sin and say, “Well, at least I’m not doing that.” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6 that all kinds of sinners—drunkards, thieves, idolaters—won’t inherit the Kingdom. But then he says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed…” So remember this: the Cross is not a pedestal—it’s a rescue line. You didn’t earn your spot. You were dragged out of death just like everyone else. So don’t point fingers from a place of pride. Extend a hand from a place of grace.
Second, adopt Paul’s mindset: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” You know your sin better than you know anyone else’s, and only God knows more than you. Acknowledging these facts helps keep you humble. It keeps you loving. And it keeps you grounded when you’re tempted to turn up your nose instead of opening your arms.
Now, read the following carefully, beloved…. Loving your neighbor doesn’t mean ignoring sin. In fact, real love confronts sin. But it does so with truth, not opinion. Don’t walk up and say, “Here’s what I think.” Say, “Here’s what God says.” Let the Word do the work. Let it cut, convict, and heal.
James is saying: Don’t be a hypocrite. Don’t hold your neighbor to a law you’ve broken yourself. Lead them to the Savior who saved you, not to your corrupt self-righteousness. James closes with this: “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Translation: Speak like someone who’s been set free. Act like someone who’s been washed clean. Mercy is your anthem now. Live in it.
Jesus said in John 14, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Not to earn His love, but because you already have it. Grace changes your “have to” into a “get to.” Being allowed to live in mercy, how do you actually do it? He gave you a Helper, His Spirit, to dwell in you, to guide you, and to empower you to obey.
But let’s not get it twisted. Jesus isn’t just your Savior—He’s your Lord. That means He gets to rule. He gives the orders. And our job isn’t to debate them; it’s to obey them.
He said in Luke 6: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” He told us plainly: if you build your life on His Word, you’re building on the Rock. But if you hear it and ignore it, your house is on sand. And when the floods come, and they will, only one of those houses will stand.
So let me ask: are you just talking about Jesus, or are you walking with Him? Are you calling Him “Lord” but living like you’re still the boss? Because I’ll tell you, partial obedience is still disobedience. You can’t call Him King and then ignore His throne.
James shows us that the Royal Law of Love is not some lofty ideal; it’s the roadmap to Kingdom living. Love your neighbor through Christ’s love. Hate your sin with Christ’s love. And live your life by the power of His love. He didn’t just die to save you from sin. He died so sin would die in you. And He rose so you could live, and truly live, by His Spirit, in His truth, for His glory.
So here’s my final plea, beloved: Cling to Jesus. Seek first the Kingdom. Love without favoritism. Hate sin without arrogance. Live like someone who’s been rescued by the mercy of God! And let the Word do the work!
Grace be with you.