James 2:1-17 My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For the one who said, "You shall not commit adultery," also said, "You shall not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
If you're at all familiar with the Book of Face, you will know that almost every single day there is a quiz or test you can take to prove how Texan you are, or how much you know about this or that. And if you live with someone who takes some of those, you will end up taking them as well. Imagine with me then, this "quiz" from James:
Do you show favoritism towards others? Yes or No? If no, why not? If yes, do they show your personal belief in Jesus Christ?
If you serve as an usher at your church, do you show special attention to a fine dressed person over a poorly dressed, obviously poor person? Yes or No? If yes, where do you take them to sit? Or do you make them stand next to you?
How do you feel about the poor? Do you show them honor?
Do you live the saying, "Love your neighbor as yourself?" If no, why not? if yes, good for you!
Do you try to live a "good" life? Is this life based on the Ten Commandments?
Do you freely and willingly share with those in need such items as food and clothing? Or do you dismiss them with a short prayer and a "God bless you?"
Does you life show your faith?
PRAYER: Loving God, help me to live as You would have me live. Let me show love to all. Let my life be a witness of Your peace and presence in me. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
