James 2

Last week I attended our stake youth conference. The title of one of the workshop presenters was "What's Really Behind that Hospital Gown?". The presenter who works in medicine talked of a seminar she attended where a speaker presented pictures of two individuals in hospital gowns. Both with the same illness of cancer. The speaker went to describe the personal accomplishments of each individual, one being wealthy, powerful, and popular; the other being more common. The question was poised to the medical practitioners if they would give preferential treatment or treat either of the patients differently due to social status. It was something to think about.

In much the same way, James addresses this issue with the saints -

"MY brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool..." (New Testament James 2:1 - 3)

To this James asks -

"Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (New Testament James 2:4)

James instructs -

"MY brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." (New Testament James 2:1)

Providing this warning and counsel -

"Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (New Testament James 2:5 - 9)

The Savior is our great exemplar. Nephi taught -

"...he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
28 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:24 - 28)

"...and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:33)

Therefore -

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." (New Testament James 2:14 - 18)

We show our faith as we do the will of God, serving our fellowman, in a manner of no respector of persons.