I have been doing some thinking and a little writing on James 2:1-13, and it has dawned on me that this section on James has a lot to say in regard to Affirmative Action.  James, because God is no respecter of persons, condemns all forms of preferential treatment based on economic status, race, or sex.  Consider again what he says,

James 2:1-13 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. ² Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. ³ If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," ⁴ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? ⁷ Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? ⁸ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. ⁹ But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking 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 commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. ¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Here are some thoughts I jotted down for a Word Interact.  I will publish the whole thing next week.  But until then, here is a glimpse of what I am seeing.

God is no respecter of persons.  He judges righteously not showing favoritism.  Elsewhere Paul writes,

            For God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11).

            …and there is no favoritism with him [God] (Ephesians 6:9).

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism (Colossians 3:25).

Because God is no respecter of persons, those who call God ‘Father’ are not to be respecters of persons either.  Now, don’t misunderstand me here.  I am not saying that we should not show respect or honor to those whom it is due.  Showing honor or respect is a virtue.  We as Christians are to show honor to our parents (Ephesians 6:1-3).  We are to honor those who are in authority over us (Romans 13:1-7).  But James is not talking about this.  Rather, he is talking about showing preferential treatment to some and not to others.  James specifically uses the rich and the poor as an illustration of preferential treatment.  But the categories could be reversed and expanded.  For example, it is not simply showing preferential treatment to rich, which is wicked, it is showing any preferential treatment to anyone which is wicked.  All preferential treatment is condemned by James.  Why?  Because God does not show preferential treatment to anyone.  God saves from all classes, races, and sexes.  Why does he save from all tribes and tongues?  Because of his mercy; because he chooses to save.

What do you think?