James 2:1-13, TOLERANCE vs. prejudice. (1)

1)    Definition: Acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity (accepting others as growing but not perfect).

2)    Scripture: Mt. 18:23-36; Rom. 12:16; 15:5; 9:22; 1 Cor. 1:10-12; 13:4; 2 Cor. 13:11; Fal. 5:22; Eph. 4:2,25-32; Phil. 1:27; 2:2; 3:14-15; 4:2; Col. 1:11; 3:12; 1 Th. 5:14; 2 Tim. 4:2; James 2:1-13; 1 Pt. 3:8-9; 2 Pt. 3:9.

3)    Underlying Principle: God commands that we love others (He set the example with His long-suffering). 

4)    Illustration: 1 Sam. 16:1-13. In the anointing of David by Samuel the basic issue was, “The LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  That relates to tolerance.  In the NT, Jesus’ treatment of the Samaritans, Gentiles, women and those considered “sinners” is evident throughout His earthly ministry.  My favorite story is of the woman at the well in Samaria (John 4).

5)    Bible Study:

a)      What different types of people are present in the Body of Christ?

i)      Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11: There were/are Jews and Greeks (different nationalities), bond and free (different social status), male and female (different sexes), and circumcised and uncircumcised (different religious backgrounds).

ii)   James 2:2: There are rich and poor (different economic levels).

iii)            Romans 14:1,5: There are weak brothers and strong brothers (people with different levels of spiritual maturity).

iv) 1 Corinthians 12:5-7,28; :5-9: There are people with differing ministries and different spiritual gifts.  In other words, not all are strong the same areas of service for Christ.

b)    In spite of these, what “sameness” should be seen in the Body?  Look for any clues given that tell us how to attain this oneness.

i)      Romans 12:16; 15:5: We should have the same mind, meaning we should not be high-minded but “condescend” or be humble.  We are not all the same, but we have the same attitude of humility about who we are in Christ.  This is something we ask God for, that He might grant it.

ii)    1 Corinthians 1:10: A study of 1 Cor. 1-4, where Paul deals with disunity, we understand what he calls for here.  We are to “speak” the same, have no divisions, have the same “mind” (different Greek term than in the Romans passages above; in Romans it involves our opinion or judgment about each other; here it is the same doctrine or thought about something) and the same “judgment” (another term dealing with our opinion on a subject).