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Do not discriminate against people

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[ James 2:1 ]

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

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We are saved by faith in Jesus. We are saved to have eternal life. This salvation is the most valuable gift that can be compared to anything else.

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The person who received salvation as a gift is a person who keeps and obeys God's commandments. When Jesus was on the earth, a law teacher asked Jesus a question. “What is the most important of all the commandments?”

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Jesus answered the law scholar. “The most important commandment is this. Lord, our God is one. He said to love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your might.” He said that the most important commandment is to serve God, who is only one, with all your heart.

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Then Jesus said. “The second important commandment is this. Love your neighbor as your body. No other commandment is more important than these.” Believing in Jesus and being saved, we must keep these two commandments that Jesus said.

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The book of James specifically describes how people who believe in Jesus and are saved should live.

Today we will look at what you said about those who did not keep the commandment, 'Love your neighbor.'

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The book of James gives an example of the faults of those who do not love their neighbors. There were two people who came to church. One person wore very good clothes and came out with a gold ring in his hand. At that time, putting a gold ring on his hand indicates that he is a wealthy person.

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On the other hand, another man came to church in shabby clothes. This man's figure was poor.

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Everyone goes to someone who wears very good clothes and has a gold ring in their hand. “Come here and sit in a good position.” Those who valued him made a seat and cared for him to sit in a good position.

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However they showed a completely different attitude to the poor who stood together. “You there! Go over there and stand there or sit anywhere on the floor here. ” They ignored this man and did not welcome him.

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They respected the rich and ignored the poor. They made a severe discrimination based only on the appearance of a person. This is the behavior God hates most.

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God does not discriminate against the poor. He gave salvation to the poor and promised the kingdom of God. God made them spiritually rich, even if they lived poor lives in the world.

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The actions of those who discriminated against the poor are wrong actions that did not follow Jesus' teaching, 'Love your neighbor as your body.' They committed the crime of judging and discriminating people.

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The Bible says that people who discriminate against people are criminals who have broken God's laws.

[James 2:9] “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”

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The Bible warns that God will not show mercy to those who discriminate by visibly without respecting others.

[James 2:13] “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

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Jesus, God, did not discriminate against me as an ugly and evil sinner and gave me salvation as a gift. I must try to repay the love I received from Jesus by loving my neighbor. We must not commit the crime of judging or discriminating against him for his appearance. I hope you will become a people of faith who glorify God by practicing the love you received from Jesus to those around you.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)