Taking his argument against partiality a little further, James brought in the “royal law”. Simply put, this is the law of love. It is first mentioned in Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Later on Jesus touched on it. Someone had asked for what He thought on the first and greatest commandment. He informed the enquirer that it is to love the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind, and might. Then He added this: “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”” (Mark 12:31 NKJV). It is this same law that James employed to correct the error of showing partiality in the congregation of the saints.

Before we take any action or even speak any word, let us pause and ask: “How will it feel if I am at the receiving end?” The rule is simple yet powerful: what you won’t take, don’t serve it to others.

How does it apply? The answer is wrapped up in another of Jesus words. “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 NKJV). No one likes to be disdained and confined to the fringes. No one likes to be segregated. The idea is that since you would not like to be treated this way, don’t do it to others. Here, both Jesus and James are harping on reciprocity. This can go a long way in regulating our conduct. Before we take any action or even speak any word, let us pause and ask: “How will it feel if I am at the receiving end?” The rule is simple yet powerful: what you won’t take, don’t serve it to others.