Lesson 12: Prejudice is a Sin (part 2)
Read James 2:1-13 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.2.esv

We start this lesson with some questions:
-Do you make an ongoing attempt to greet visitors and meet new people?
-Do you make a regular attempt to talk to people outside your close friendships?
-How do you react when someone new comes into your turf of friendship?
-Do you have any friends that would be considered outcasts by others?
-Do you have friends from various spectrums of social, economic, ethnic and physical status?
-Do you treat those with money, social status, and popularity different than you do those without?

Now for some, James’ condemnation of prejudice may seem a little harsh. We say, “Sure our love has limitations but at least we are not murderers.” James knew some would react this way, so he wrote James 2:10-11. While it is true that some sins are more heinous than others, it is not true that we are less guilty of breaking God’s law simply because we only show prejudice instead of committing murder. We need to be careful that we don’t begin to think that certain sins are okay, that we begin rating which sins are more severe. We look for sawdust in other’s eye when we have a log in our own. Matthew 7:3-5

The law of God isn't like an examination paper where only six out of ten questions must be answered. It is like a pane of glass, just one crack and the whole pane is broken.


The Principle Applied - James 2:12-13. There are 3 principles:
1. Let the Scriptures, not your heritage, be your standard. (v12) Don’t excuse your prejudice by statements like ‘I was brought up that way, that’s just the way it is, that is how I am, etc.’ Allow God to change how you think, speak and act by living according to His word.
2. Let love be your law. Some of the neediest people typically receive the worst prejudices. Before you respond to someone think first – How can I love this person? What is needed to help build this person up?
3. Let mercy be your message (v13) a prejudiced person cannot help but be judgmental. The one who is motivated by love will exude mercy in their relationships. How would you respond if you found out your closest friend had a background like the woman at the well? The woman caught in adultery? The Apostle Paul? We are so quick to judge someone for their background when ours might be worse!

James 2:12 – ‘So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.’
*How do our words and actions show mercy? 1 John 3:18 _____, John 13:35 _____, Romans 1:12 _____.

-Examine your circle of friends, then identify and remove any characteristics of cliques.
-Identify some new individuals that you can begin building relationships with.
-Attempt to move out of your comfort zone this week and spend time with someone you hardly know.
-Demonstrate your love for God and people by inviting people to church with you next week.