(a)Give James' exposition on partiality in the church. [9 marks] (b) Highlight three ways impartiality...
(a)Give James' exposition on partiality in the church. [9 marks]
(b) Highlight three ways impartiality is promoted in our society. [6 marks]
Explanation
(a) James 2: 1-13
(i) James opened his speech by asking his audience to avoid, partiality since they hold the faith of Christ.
(ii) If a man who dresses richly comes into their assembly and a poorly dressed man also comes,
(iii) And they give the rich man the best seat and pays no attention to the other man who is poor, they have discriminated.
(iv) He warned them not to give room to favouritism.
(v) They should not judge with evil thoughts.
(vi) For God has chosen the poor in the word to be rich in faith as the heirs of the Kingdom.
(vii) He emphasized that they have dishonoured the poor in an attempt to respect the rich.
(viii) But ironically, they are being oppressed by the rich.
(ix) They drag them to court and make sure that they don't obtain justice.
(x) It is also the same rich people who blaspheme the name of the Lord.
(xi) He admonished them to obey the royal law which says "Love your neighbour as yourself.
(xii) If they continue to show partiality, they commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
(xiii) For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one is as guilty as not keeping the law at all.
(xiv) One who commits adultery and does not kill is a transgressor of the law.
(xv) Hence, people must speak and act mindful of the fact that they would be judged under the law of liberty.
(xvi) Those who did not show mercy will also not be shown mercy.
(b) Three ways of promoting impartiality:
(i) Using of mass media in protesting against partiality.
(ii) Using strike actions to protest against partiality.
(iii) Members of the society should not give room to ethnic and religious prejudices.
(iv) Every member of the society should be allowed to exercise his/her rights.
(v) Practical living (i.e. living by example).
(vi) Social amenities and government revenue allocations should be distributed evenly.
(vii) Use of assembly men/women and opinion leaders to correct ills in the society.