Favortism?  Surely I don’t show favortism (or so I would like to continue thinking)…  I do think I form first impressions, though.  Although it’s impossible NOT to form a first impression of someone, we can’t let that alter how we then treat that person.  The best demonstration of our faith is through how we treat others.  It’s treating people with such a high standard that it goes above our comfort zones and beyond our personal preferences.  It loves people who are different than we are.  No matter what.  No matter the look, the interests, the smell, the speech, the actions, the response… even how we treat those who might be our enemies.

Dictionary.com’s definition of authentic is this:

au·then·tic [aw-then-tik] –adjective

James is challenging us to be AUTHENTIC Christ followers.  Not false; not copied; genuine and real.  One who’s character is supported by unquestionable evidence (evidence of Christ in our lives).  One who is reliable and trustworthy (unchanging despite the person or circumstance).  Chapter One challenges us to stand and be authentic when trials come… when temptations arise… when we hear the Word… when we speak.  And now James brings up how we think of and treat others. 

Favortism is never justified.  Favortism happens anytime we think we are better than another - whatever the shape or form.  I know I’m not always above it.  There are just those people who you give a little sigh each time they approach you.  Or those that you divert your eyes from seeing.  Showing favortism is essentially showing selfishness.  It’s thinking that you and your thoughts are better than anothers’.  This passage is a good reminder of how God calls me to love others and put them first.

We have been talking about outreach and evangelism the last couple of weeks here at church and I was following up with one of our volunteers to see how her small group was going.  She said it was a challenge to get her girls to realize that EVERYONE deserves love, attention, care, and concern.  They responded every time with, “Okay, BUT she…”  “I understand Scripture says that, BUT he…”  No buts!  Matthew 22:39 states that the second greatest commandment (the first being to Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind) is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Yes, you studied grammer.  That was a period at the end.  No but, if, or, or unless.  PERIOD.  This is what James refers to in verse 8.  He goes on to say that you can’t pick and choose the rules you want to follow.  They ALL apply.  Authentic believers demonstrate authentic love, marked by true obedience to the One who has called them to a higher standard.  James says in verst 12 to “speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom…”  Freedom!  We don’t always think freedom and rules go together, but they do!  Freedom from consequences, freedom from guilt, freedom from hurting others, freedom from regret.  That’s a pretty exciting way of life.