Two chairs

A few weeks ago our study in the book of James took us to the topic of showing favoritism. If you recall, we said that the word “favoritism” literally meant, “to receive by face” and carried the idea of accepting one person over another based solely on outward characteristics. We know that this happens in the world, but James was straightforward and said it happens in the church as well. He gave the example of two visitors, one visibly rich and one visibly poor, who come into a church resulting in the rich man being given preferential treatment over the poor man.

I know we like to think that we have no hidden pockets of favoritism in our own lives, but in essence we do. To illustrate this on that Sunday I put 2 chairs on the stage and asked you a series of questions. Let me review them. You answer them honestly:

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a great, big bald black man. The other is next to a young white guy dressed like he could be on the cover of GQ magazine. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a Hispanic family speaking only in Spanish. The other is next to an average looking white American family speaking English. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a very large overweight person. The other is next to a very thin, elegant looking woman. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a teenager sporting a purple Mohawk on his head. The other is next to a teenager with what you would consider to be a normal haircut. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a person wearing an “I Vote Democrat” button. The other is next to a person wearing an “I Vote Republican” button. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to someone who is mentally disabled. The other is next someone who is not challenged in this area. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

You come into church next Sunday and there are only two chairs remaining. One is next to a person with tattoos on every showing part of their body. The other is next to a person with no tattoos or blemishes. Which chair do you choose to sit in?

“My Brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus with an attitude of personal favoritism (James 2:1)”