Good day dear friends.
We continue to affirm the unity of Christ in His church, remembering we were baptized in His name, for His service; not ours, nor any others.
Here is our study guide for today:
Thursday: In James 2:1-7, the apostle shares some clear instructions on showing partiality towards personalities. Please read the passage and see how that message still holds true today. Apply it to your life if necessary.
Here is the James passage: 1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the one who is poor, "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 and sisters: 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 dishonored 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 blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
James has gone from preaching to meddling. James should know how much we value the rich, doesn't he? Isn't our heart thrilled when a finely dressed couple enters our church doors on Sunday? Don't we greet them with a special greeting reserved just for them? We believe they could be bringing a great blessing, don't we? (Hint: If they join the church, they could become tithers, right?) But we don't waste our time with those who come in filthy old clothes. What good could they possibly be bringing to us? We don't quite sit them on the floor anymore, but we hope they sit away from "the good people" so they won't offend anyone!
Friends, James was hitting the nail right on the head. Though I wrote the above tongue-in-cheek, some folks do act the way I described above, and that is wrong. James believes that God wants us to welcome all people regardless of how they're dressed or how much money we think they have. We never know at first glance what lasting blessing they could be bringing to the kingdom of God. And James further reminds us of the place the poor have always had and will continue to have in God's eyes. Our job is to welcome them all and to make them all feel welcome in God's house.
Sociologists used to say that 11 o'clock Sunday morning was the most segregated hour in America. While that still holds true for some churches, for many others, thank God, it is changing. We cannot imagine Heaven as being a segregated place, nor do we want it to be. What are we doing on our part, to help ensure that worship times are inclusive times for all?
PRAYER: God of all people, visit our hearts so that we might be loving and inviting people to all people. Grant us wisdom to see beyond exteriors of folks, to see in others those who are and could be our brothers and sisters in Christ. You show no partiality to persons, make us the same. We pray in Christ Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
