Saturday, January 24, 2009

James 2: 1-13

Today I was at the longest Auction in the world and I almost missed everything I wanted to bid on. I am home now and just got done doing a little work on my baby girls room and am settling in for the evening. I was reading through these verses with my son tonight and as I prayed over him I just prayed that God would give him the eyes of Grace not judgment. I get stirred up inside when I see people treat others unfairly just because of their outward appearance. We never know what someone has walked through in their life and should be lights to all. This is also tough when people are real annoying I won't name names but man this is a tough one for me but it is also my opportunity to be more like Christ...

James 2

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, You sit here in a good place, while you say to the poor man, You stand over there, or, Sit down at my feet, 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Man this can be a tough one. Why is it that we treat someone in designer clothes and a great hircut cut better than we would a homeless looking person? Fear! Fear of what someone might think....well who cares, we should be a light unto all and an example to other believers. I pray God gives me the ability to treat everyone the same....as I would wnat to be treated. BTw....super excited abouyt the new Life Group CONNECTION! Can't wait to see what God does through this new idea...]]

Anonymous said...

I get convicted of this a lot because I'm always judging people because of their appearance. I do it a lot due to my job, but I know that it bleeds over into my personal life also.