Our biggest problems are people problems—getting along with other people. James gives us insight into proper relationships. He gives us the principle, the problem, and the application in this passage.

THE PRINCIPLE: Don’t Show Favoritism

“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.” (vs. 1)

Common Areas Of Discrimination

* Appearance
* Ancestry
* Age
* Achievement
* Affluence
Affluence is the area that James picks out of all the areas we can discriminate in. He talks about economic distinction in verse 2.

THE PROBLEM:

Three Problems With Favoritism

* Favoritism is unchristian
* Favoritism is unreasonable
* Favoritism is unloving

THE PRESCRIPTION: How To Treat People Right (And How To Have A Loving Church)

It's love that reaches people. You don't argue people into the kingdom of heaven—you love them into the kingdom of heaven.

How do you do that? Three steps:

Accept Everybody

Do you know why people have a hard time accepting others? They confuse acceptance with approval. There's a big difference between acceptance and approval. You can accept somebody without approving of his lifestyle. He may be doing something totally contrary to the Word of God, but you can accept him as a person without approving of the sin he's involved in.

“Accept one another just as Christ accepted you.” Romans 15:7

Appreciate Everybody

This goes a little bit further than acceptance. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-5

Affirm Everybody

Give everybody a lift whenever you can. “Encourage one another and build each other up.” I Thessalonians 5:11

When people stumble, don't criticize—sympathize. Be an encourager not a complainer.

What is God saying in James? The church that accepts, appreciates and affirms people is the church that God blesses. Absolutely nothing can stop the church that's filled with love.