Attributes of Holiness – honesty and impartiality (James 2:1 -- 10)

Attributes of Holiness – honesty and impartiality James 2:1 -- 10

[B.T. Roberts re-examined]

“Honesty is that disposition which prompts us to give to everyone his due. It make us thoughtful of the rights of others.” [B.T. Roberts]

“We would infinitely prefer to be the victims of injustice, than to be unjust.” [B.T. Roberts]

I. Honesty

Lev. 19:36 “You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”

Deut. 25:13 “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small.”

Prov. 16:11 “A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.”

Prov. 20:10 “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.”

Prov. 20:23 “Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.”

Mic. 6:11 “Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?”

A. We would rather suffer wrong than do wrong.

1. Means keeping careful watch to not harm others.

2. Means never taking advantage of the ignorance of others.

B. We freely give all the information necessary to form a correct judgment.

1. Means we allow our religion to interfere with our business, our lives, our conduct.

2. Means we will regulate ourselves according to the principles of justice.

C. We serve and give because it is the right thing to do.

1. There is no stipulation or obligation that will be unreasonable or unfair.

2. Means not being honest is considered stealing.

II. Impartiality

“God is no respecter of persons… He loves a poor man who is truly pious, just as much as He does a millionaire or a king who serves Him no better.” [B.T. Roberts]

A. “As we become holy we become partakers of the mind that was in Christ.” [B.T. Roberts.]

1. A holy person will not claim or accept a privilege based on his wealth.

2. It is not about “superior worldly advantages.”

“Consequently a holy person should not buy or rent a seat in a house of worship. To do this would be to give his sanction to a practice which shuts the poor out of the house of God…” [B.T. Roberts]

B. “The Gospel was made for the poor.” [B.T. Roberts]

“The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.” [Matthew 11:5]

1. “False religions seek their votaries among the rich and powerful.” [B.T. Roberts]

a. At Jesus’ pivotal moment… He did not seek the rich and powerful. Jesus went to the “down and out.”

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.” [1 Corinthians 1:26]

b. It is not “might or power” that accomplishes God’s will.

2. “An individual that is holy cannot consistently belong to a Church that despises the poor.” [B.T. Roberts]

a. Neither the anticipation of danger or expectation of reward will sway us to honor one above another based on wealth.

b. This will keep our soul clear of judging someone else.

Conclusion: the word is “integrity.” (“Adherence to moral and ethical principles.” Dictionary.com)

***** The value and worth of the other person. *****