Word@Work James15 - James 2:1-4
Published: Mon, 03/02/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
FAVOURITISM
James 2:1-4 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favouritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (NIV)
Surely, those who believe in the Lord (who submit to Him as their Master) Jesus (who are grateful to Him as their Saviour) Christ (and who accept that He is God's anointed one to bring righteousness) - will want to be like Him. But some Christians don't. They discriminate between those who are like them and those who are not, those who are poor and those who are rich ... and so the list could go on to include race, language, class, ability, culture and many other elements that make up a person's background. But Jesus is not so much interested in where we have come from, but where we are going.
One day, all believers in the Lord Jesus will share in His heaven; we will be completely equal as children of God (cf Gal 3:28). Nobody will be able to claim their own righteousness - because all have sinned: however we will all share His righteousness, won for us on the cross. There will be no room for nationalistic pride either, because every people-group (marked by language and customs) will be there and nobody will be superior (cf Rev 5:9). That is how Jesus treated people: the leper, poor widow, paralysed man and prostitute were as welcome as the synagogue elder - as long as they wanted to receive from Him and do what he said. The fact remains: neither wealth nor poverty win Jesus' favour - it is faith, and not funds, that make the difference with Him.
Secular-minded business practice, whether in the markets, trades or professions often depends on winning favour. This may be gained through though 'contacts' of the family, school or college relationships - or even through the church. Making rich people feel important is a cultured art with some Christians; as it may 'open the door' for help or money or other favours. In the same way, those despised by the world can be shunned by the church. Why? Jesus did not behave in either way! So, if in any way we may be inclined to favour people who might benefit us, and reject those who are unlikely to help us ... we must repent and then deliberately choose to start treating people like Jesus did. Today is a good day to start, and our workplace is the ideal environment to behave as Jesus did and taught.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for the clear examples of how Jesus treated people, although He was criticised for not following the way of the world (or of hypocritical religion). Please help me to see everybody as a person for whom Jesus died - someone who is precious to Him. And help me to turn my back on winning special support from the rich while I ignore the poor. I need Your help to practice the Jesus-lifestyle today at work. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Surely, those who believe in the Lord (who submit to Him as their Master) Jesus (who are grateful to Him as their Saviour) Christ (and who accept that He is God's anointed one to bring righteousness) - will want to be like Him. But some Christians don't. They discriminate between those who are like them and those who are not, those who are poor and those who are rich ... and so the list could go on to include race, language, class, ability, culture and many other elements that make up a person's background. But Jesus is not so much interested in where we have come from, but where we are going.
One day, all believers in the Lord Jesus will share in His heaven; we will be completely equal as children of God (cf Gal 3:28). Nobody will be able to claim their own righteousness - because all have sinned: however we will all share His righteousness, won for us on the cross. There will be no room for nationalistic pride either, because every people-group (marked by language and customs) will be there and nobody will be superior (cf Rev 5:9). That is how Jesus treated people: the leper, poor widow, paralysed man and prostitute were as welcome as the synagogue elder - as long as they wanted to receive from Him and do what he said. The fact remains: neither wealth nor poverty win Jesus' favour - it is faith, and not funds, that make the difference with Him.
Secular-minded business practice, whether in the markets, trades or professions often depends on winning favour. This may be gained through though 'contacts' of the family, school or college relationships - or even through the church. Making rich people feel important is a cultured art with some Christians; as it may 'open the door' for help or money or other favours. In the same way, those despised by the world can be shunned by the church. Why? Jesus did not behave in either way! So, if in any way we may be inclined to favour people who might benefit us, and reject those who are unlikely to help us ... we must repent and then deliberately choose to start treating people like Jesus did. Today is a good day to start, and our workplace is the ideal environment to behave as Jesus did and taught.
Prayer: Dear Lord. Thank you for the clear examples of how Jesus treated people, although He was criticised for not following the way of the world (or of hypocritical religion). Please help me to see everybody as a person for whom Jesus died - someone who is precious to Him. And help me to turn my back on winning special support from the rich while I ignore the poor. I need Your help to practice the Jesus-lifestyle today at work. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
Why not share Word@Work with your friends - they can subscribe at http://www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
If you value your free Word@Work a donation will help us to maintain and develop the ministry - thank you!
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
All the 'back copies' for the series in Mark and Ephesians can be found on www.beaconlight.co.uk/email
W@WJames15 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk