Only kidding; there is a thread on my Facebook page where I was discussing James 2:1-9 and a friend wrote “James 2: Revenge of the Apostle” in reference to “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen”.

On a serious note though, I was reading James 2 last night, and I’ve probably read James a couple hundred times over the course of my life, so I wasn’t expecting any new revelations. I’m sure many of you can quote James 2:10 or James 2:14-17, as those seem to be very popular. And I’ve heard many pastors speak on James 2:1-4…… but I’ve heard many sermons that end before reaching verse 9. So here is the complete passage (ESV):

“1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, You sit here in a good place, while you say to the poor man, You stand over there, or, Sit down at my feet, 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Seems to me James 2:9 says that if you show partiality, you are sinning.

Just for fun, let’s see what other translations say (so no one can claim it’s limited to the ESV).

“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” KJV

“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” NIV & TNIV

“But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” NLT

“But if you show servile regard (prejudice, favoritism) for people, you commit sin and are rebuked and convicted by the Law as violators and offenders.” AMP

“But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it.” The Message

Looks like all the major Bible translations call favoritism sin.

Just got me thinking about some of the stuff I’ve witnessed first hand.

For those who haven’t seen my Twitter or Facebook stream the past few days, I purchased Derek Webb’s new album Stockholm Syndrome. Derek is one of the founding members of the popular CCM group Caedmon’s Call and a few years ago decided to branch out into a solo career. I’ve never really listened to Caedmon’s Call or his solo stuff, but I was intrigued so I figured I’d buy it. Especially considering it’s the first explicit release from Christian label INO.

Anyways, like most people, I do most of my listening while driving. So I burned the album to disc and popped it into the CD player this morning before heading to work. I’d already listened to some of the album at home, but driving to work it felt like Derek was giving me a kick in the teeth on two songs in particular – Freddie, Please and The Spirit vs. The Kick Drum.

Freddie, Please is blatantly directed at those who judge homosexuals (NOT homosexual behavior) and one line in particular really stood out to me:

“How could you do this to me?
How can you tell them you love me,
when you hate me?

After doing a little research I discovered this morning that the song is in reference to Fred Phelps, the pastor of Westboro Baptist Church. The guy who has become infamous for the “God hates fags” pickett signs and website and also for protesting soldiers’ funerals.

The other song, The Spirit vs. The Kick Drum is the one that really was a kick to the face. It’s in reference to a Rich Mullins quote where people would come up to Mullins after concerts and say, “Wow! The Holy Spirit really moved at that certain point in the song,” and Mullins would respond, “No actually, that’s where the kick drum and the bass came in.” Three lines in the song say all that needs to be said about the Christian subculture:

“I don’t want the Father; you know I want a vending machine.
I don’t want the Son; you know I want a jury of peers.
I don’t want the Spirit; you know I want a kickdrum.”

So, I can’t wait to get off work just so I can listen to more of the album.

In my last post I wrote about how the Christian church in America is dividing itself by arguing over the little things and not focusing on the big picture, which is the fact that Jesus is the redeemer for ALL who choose to follow Him. I used the example of a quote from Tony Campolo where he said:

“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids dies of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said ‘shit’ than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

The sad thing is, Campolo is right. Unless it directly affects us, we don’t care. Think about it; there are several orginizations which offer the ability to sponsor children in 3rd world nations for around $30 a month. Yet how many of us do that? And don’t think I’m judging you; I’m just as guilty as the next person. But say you’re living paycheck to paycheck and literally cannot afford $30 a month (because that might be a tank of gas for you); can’t you at least show some compassion?

So this brings me to the supposedly controversial new song by Derek Webb called What Matters More.

I say supposedly controversial because the only reason it is considered to be controversial is Webb is a Christian artist (Caedmon’s Call). If he were not a top 40 CCM artist, the “Christian” community wouldn’t even know about this song. But maybe that’s why God gave this song to him instead of John Mayer or Kanye West, because coming from a Christian artist makes it hard for us Christians to ignore.

You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
‘Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

‘Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn’t silently consent when the liars speak
Denyin’ all the dyin’ or the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin’ the wind while the pendulum swings

‘Cause we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he’s comin’ to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin’ today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

The point of the song is pretty clear to me – instead of reaching out to those who are fighting HIV/AIDS, the Christian community has demonized homosexuals. In the book unChristian (authored and edited by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons), Shayne Wheeler of All Souls Fellowship contributed this:

“During the Alexandrian plague (third century), Christians risked their lives in caring for the sick, taking a posture of grace that said, ‘I am here for you. I may die, but you will not be alone.’ The church embodied the gospel and the message was not forgotten. In the 1980′s, the AIDS epidemic hit the gay community. Otherwise healthy men were dying and nobody knew why. The only link seemed to be their sexuality. The church had opportunity to again speak grace and instead spewed venom. Rather than showing compassion, we self-righteously proclaimed God’s judgment. The message came through loud and clear. It was the wrong message. And it was not forgotten.”

After sharing a personal story, Wheeler goes on by saying,

“The Bible is clear: homosexual practice is inconsistent with Christian discipleship. But there is not a special judgment for homosexuals, and there is not a special righteousness for heterosexuals. For all of us, our only hope for the fracture in our soul is the cross of Christ.”

In the same chapter Kinnaman and Lyons make a great point:

“It is one thing to be against homosexuality, to affirm that the Bible rejects the practice of same-sex lifestyles, but it is another to be against homosexuals, to let your disagreement with their behavior spill out in your feelings and words toward them as people.”

Yet how many of us have done just that?

Just the other day a friend of mine was looking at my Facebook page and noticed I am friends with someone who is openly gay. Their response – “You’re friends with ___________?”. I responded by asking “Well yeah; is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”. They responded with “Isn’t he gay?”.

Sad.

Back to the Derek Webb song; I think Derek is telling us we can continue to be part of the problem, or we can change and be part of the solution. Change doesn’t mean we stop preaching what the Bible says; change means we see a need, and despite our differences with those in need, we work to meet that need. Millions of people die every year as a result of HIV/AIDS; we can either do something about it, or we can continue to hide in our churches and talk about the “gay agenda”. Isn’t that what James 1:22 is all about; don’t just hear, but get off your butt and do?

“I have three things I’d like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids dies of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don’t give a shit. What’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said ‘shit’ than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.”

- Tony Campolo

And therein lies my problem with the church in America. I’m not a big Tony Campolo fan, but that quote pretty much nails it. Christians are so busy arguing over the little things that they miss the big picture. And it isn’t limited to world hunger. Abortion is another issue. I’ve blogged about it before, but just to rehash things, what is more important – fighting a losing battle to outlaw abortion or developing Christian alternatives to Planned Parenthood that would greatly decrease the amount of abortions taking place? And if you think we can have both, pass the pipe cause I want to smoke what you’re smoking.

Of course, those are just two examples of issues outside the four walls of the church. But even inside the church, Christians are so busy bickering and fighting with each other it’s no wonder my unchurched friends don’t want to have anything to do with the church. Hell, I don’t want to have anything to do with it. I once read an anonymous quote that said “I love Jesus; it’s His fan club I can’t stand.” A perfect example can be found on YouTube. NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC began a sermon series on Easter Sunday entitled The Gospel. Part one was called Highway To Hell, and they kicked off service with the band performing a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell. Personally, I think that’s awesome, especially considering the fact that Easter Sunday is the most attended day in most churches around the world. NewSpring reported that over 300 people accepted Christ on Easter Sunday. Would some of those have accepted Christ without hearing Highway To Hell in church? Probably. As scripture says, the spirit of God draws men unto salvation, so nothing you or I do can influence a person’s choice to accept Christ. Unless, of course, God uses you to lead them to him. What if God used an AC/DC song to push some of those people over the edge? From what I’ve read, NewSpring has heard from dozens of members who have said that had it not been for the band playing Highway To Hell, their father, brother, son, sister, husband, daughter, etc. would have left without making a decision to follow Christ.

Now, I understand that some people have a problem with this whole situation. And that’s okay. I’ve read several blog posts and YouTube comments from people who, while they didn’t agree with the methods, praised God for the 300 that accepted Christ that Sunday. What disgusts me are the people who blog or comment about the performance and show no resemblance to Christ in their attitudes. Some have even gone so far as to question the salvation of those 300 from Easter Sunday! Just Google NewSpring Highway To Hell and read some of the garbage that shows up in the top 10.

A similar example is methodology. Until recently I was visiting a church but finally had to stop going because I was sick of hearing the pastor drag churches through the mud instead of sharing with me something God revealed to him in the Bible. Do you really think Jesus cares if you worship him through a hymn as opposed to a Hillsong United song? No! As long as He is glorified. Do you really think that Jesus prefers preaching over teaching? Again, no. As His message is delivered the rest doesn’t matter. Do you think Jesus prefers exegetical sermons over topical sermons? Or the lighting in the sanctuary? Or the volume of the music? Or the way you’re dressed? NO!!!! Those are all HUMAN preferences.

With that in mind, I’m reminded of Mark 3:24-25. I don’t blame the liberals for a lack of values and morality in America. Nor do I blame the “gay agenda”. And I won’t even blame the media or the press. I’m blaming all of us who call ourselves Christians, because the church in America is a house divided. Is there a perfect church out there? No. But when people spend more time arguing semantics than they spend showing the love of Christ to everyone they encounter then we are a house divided.