Most of us have probably never thought about partiality as being sinful. We set impartiality as a mark to which we aspire, in certain instances. Yet, it is more than an aspiration, it is a consistent requirement. Impartial judgment is an integral aspect of credibility. Our credibility as Christians is at stake when we render biased
judgments.
But we are called by God to judge people based on their inward character, not their outward appearance. Our character is displayed by our behavior—our actions show people what kind of person we really are. Our usual misreading of Jesus’ statement regarding judging others in Matthew 7:1 (Do not judge, so that you will not be judged), leaves out his admonitions about sinful behavior, and our requirement to judge others’ behavior. His reference to the speck in your brother’s eye versus the beam in your own, relates to not being hypocritical in our judgements (it’s wrong for you to do this, but OK if I do it).
Our judgments should not be based on the materialistic perspectives that the rest of the world values so highly.
My brothers, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with partiality. 2 For if someone enters into your assembly in fine clothing with a gold ring on his finger, and a poor person in filthy clothing also enters, 3 and you look favorably on the one wearing the fine clothing and you say, “Be seated here in a good place,” and to the poor person you say, “You stand or be seated there by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? — James 2:1–4 (LEB)
Some years back, when I was in the Navy stationed on board an aircraft carrier, a young petty officer (very junior enlisted Sailor) was sad over the recent death of his grandmother. He spoke with the priest (a senior officer Navy chaplain) about it right before the Mass started that Sunday morning, and the priest promised to dedicate that Mass to the young man’s grandmother. This brought some comfort to the Sailor, and he gathered with the rest of the
Sailors who were arriving.
Just as the priest was about to start the service, the door opened, and our admiral entered. Everyone stood at attention, but he had them all relax. The priest asked the admiral to take one of the seats in front of the congregation and welcomed him to the Mass, telling the Sailors how blessed they were to be graced by the presence of “our wonderful and wise admiral.” He then told the admiral that he was dedicating that Mass to him. The young petty officer whose grandmother had died began to weep and left the room. As far as I know, he never returned to Mass on that ship.
It wasn’t the admiral’s fault; he didn’t know anything about the priest’s promise to that Sailor. It was that Navy commander’s decision to kiss his boss’ butt instead of honoring the promise he made to a Sailor who could do nothing to further his career. I had never known such a visceral, real-life enactment of a biblical concept before. The Bible came alive for me that day in a way that tore my heart out.
James’ letter is the practical result of the theoretical training provided in the rest of the Bible. James describes the consequence—the behavior we can see—of authentic regeneration in Christ versus counterfeit discipleship.
Listen, my dear brothers! Did not God choose the poor of the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich exploiting you and they themselves dragging you into the courts? 7 Do they themselves not blaspheme the good name of the one to whom you belong? 8 However, if you carry out the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and thus are convicted by the law as transgressors. — James 2:5–9
James also points out that the law only shows us where we’ve gone wrong, that we’re not saved by it. Because we have violated some part of it—no one has ever kept the law except he who created it. It’s like being in a boat that gets a hole in it. The boat will take on water and sink regardless of how big or where the hole is.
For whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point only has become guilty of all of it. 11 For the one who said “Do not commit adultery” also said “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 Thus speak and thus act as those who are going to be judged by the law of liberty. 13For judgment is merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. — James 2:10–13
We must be merciful to others if we expect mercy from God. James again gives us some concrete behavioral examples. It’s not a full list, but rather a few instances of mercy in action (or lack thereof), from which we can gauge whether we are following God’s will or our own.
What is the benefit, my brothers, if someone says that he has faith but does not have works? That faith is not able to save him, is it? 15 If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day, 16 and one of you should say to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but does not give them what is necessary for the body, what is the benefit? 17 Thus also faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself. — James 2:10–17
Faith that doesn’t change our behavior is just an intellectual exercise. It is meant to be an all-encompassing hope in the truth of Christ’s offer of salvation to us, similar to the faith a skydiver has in his parachute opening.
Faith must result in good works in order for Jesus’ statements in Matthew 7:16, 20 to be accurate: You will recognize them by their fruit.
May you all have fully fruitful lives.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. Austin