Theory question 108
Faith, Works and ImpartialitySection C (Themes from Selected Epistles)
(a) Recount James' advice to christians on how the poor and the rich should be treated in the church. (b) State four reasons why people should not discriminate against each other.
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(a) Show no partiality as you hold the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 2:1).
Do not give a rich man in fine clothes a good seat while telling a poor man to stand or sit at your feet (James 2:2-4).
God chose the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom (James 2:5).
Dishonouring the poor is wrong, since the rich oppress them and blaspheme Christ's name (James 2:6-7).
Fulfil the royal law: love your neighbour as yourself (James 2:8).
Partiality is sin and breaks the law (James 2:9-11).
Act as those to be judged by the law of liberty; show mercy (James 2:12-13).
The rich should not trust in or misuse their wealth (James 5:1-6).
(b) Any four: all are created in God's image; God shows no partiality; it breaks the law of love; it causes division and conflict; it is sin; it denies others justice; all are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
Summarise James 2:1-13, then four reasons.