Beliefs

What Biblical teachings do you really know and believe? How would you summarize your basic Christian beliefs? If you have not done so recently it could be a very rewarding experience to take the time to write down some of your important beliefs and perhaps discuss them with a friend.

What we believe about God is extremely important! Our personal response to Christ determines our eternal destiny! If we have given our lives to Christ it should be obvious in our relationships with others. The way we treat people indicates what we really believe about God!

Today I would like us to examine three Biblical teachings which have to do with our behavior toward others. The test presented in the Scripture is how people in the church treat a rich person and a poor person coming into their church fellowship.

I. Distinctions are removed by Christ.

It seems that James fears that snobbery could invade the church as he pictures two men coming into a church. One of them is well-dressed and wearing gold rings. In the days in which James was writing it was common for the wealthy to flaunt their wealth with rings on every finger except the middle finger and sometimes more than one per finger. To give the impression of wealth some people even rented rings. Seneca wrote, "We adorn our fingers with rings and we distribute gems over every joint. In response Clement of Alexandria recommended that Christians only wear one ring.

The second man entering the church was poorly dressed, with shabby clothing. Yet it was likely that he was wearing his best. He had no rings and was likely he could have been a beggar. With ceremony the rich man was ushered to a special seat. The people were attentive to him. In contrast the poor man was told to sit on the floor. Then James asked, "Isn't this conduct of favoritism wrong?"

Certainly there was a social problem in the early church. The church was the only place where social distinctions did not, or at least, were not supposed to exist because Christ had removed distinctions. Yet certainly it was awkward when a master came to worship and was seated next to his slave or when a master came to a service that was being led by his slave. Most people of the early church were poor. When a rich man became a follower of Jesus Christ and came to fellowship there was a temptation to make a fuss over him. What about today?

Read verses 5-7. ⁵ Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? Paul has similar words to share with the Galatians and Ephesians. (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-10)

II. Deity of Christ.

In verse 1. we read: 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James is writing about Partiality, as undue respect, favoritism, paying special attention to someone because he or she is rich, influential, powerful, or popular. Such conduct is condemned in the New Testament. Jesus' enemies, Jewish leaders even admitted this. Matthew 22:16b: "You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are." Jesus did not regard outward appearance as important, but looked at the heart. He was not impressed with riches or social status. The poor widow who sacrificially gave her small gift was greater in Jesus' eyes than the rich man who gave a large donation.

Jesus saw potential in the lives of sinners, disciples of yesterday and us today. Jesus came as God in human flesh to teach that all persons who repent of their sins and follow Him are welcome in His kingdom. We are the persons for whom he was willing to come to earth to die whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, women or men, educated or uneducated, regardless of our economic or social status.

Consider the early life of Christ. Jesus was born in humble surroundings and grew up as a poor man in the despised city of Nazareth. After He went into public ministry He had no home, unlike the birds and foxes. According to Isaiah 53 there was nothing about the physical traits of Jesus to attract us to Him, yet He is the Lord of glory. God's glory resided in Jesus when He came to earth and as we believe in Christ and are filled with His spirit, we become dwelling places for God's glory.

Jesus was criticized for ministering to the poor, the sick, and the outcasts of society. He also accepted the rich and influential, but often their wealth was too great an obstacle for them to overcome. In Matthew 20:28 we read, "The Son of Man came not to be served, but the serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." When you are tempted to cater to the rich with motives of receiving from them, or avoiding the poor and outcasts because they embarrass you, remember the example of Jesus. He did not behave in this manner and does not approve of our doing so either.

We need to practice the Deity of Christ in human relationships by seeking to look at everyone through the eyes of Christ. If a person is a Christian, accept that person because Jesus Christ lives in him. If a person may not be a Christian, we must also welcome him or her. He must treat all persons fairly because Jesus Christ died for each of us. Christ is the link between us and others; the link of love. The person of Christ is the basis of all our relationships.

III. Deeds will be judged by Christ.

A basic belief of Christians is that Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and judgment will follow. Not all Christians agree on all the details of the future events, but know that Christ will return and our deeds will be judged.

In John 5:24 these words of Jesus are recorded, "Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. We read in Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

When we become Christians, Christ's sacrifice pays the penalty for our sins. These sins that we have confessed have been forgiven and will not be held against us in judgment as unbelievers will be judged for their sins. This does not mean that Christians are free to sin and disobey God's teachings. Our deeds will be judged. Listen to a few Scriptures about this subject. Romans 14:13. "So each of us shall account of himself to God." II Corinthians 5:10. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body." Colossians 3:23-25.

In Hebrews 10:17 concerning true Christians the Lord says, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." Of course, this does not mean that our sins will not effect our character and our work. Even though God forgives sins when we confess them to Him, we may still have to live with the consequences of them

Conclusion:

What you and I believe is extremely important.

I. Distinctions are removed by Christ.
II. Deity of Christ.
III. Deeds will be judged by Christ

What difference do these teachings make in the way you treat your family, friends, co-workers, fellow Christians, and strangers?

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