James 2:6-7—Dishonored

But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and viagra au canada rougeprofond.com personally drag you into court?  Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?  James 2:6-7

James noticed huge distinctions in the way some church members responded to the http://chiangmaitourblog.com/100mg-tadalafil-buy/ rich compared to the poor. He called this behavior “personal favoritism” and asserted that it was inconsistent with faith in Jesus Christ. Often this differentiation in treatment was demonstrated in preferential seating in meetings for wealthy, well-connected individuals, while underprivileged members were directed to sit in less desirable locations. Because of this observation, James asked these believers, “Have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?” (James 2:4.)

After that, James wrote concerning the real status of poorer members. God Himself chose them to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him (see James 2:5). Christians who viewed their less fortunate brethren as beneath them were making a critical misjudgment absolutely inconsistent with their profession of faith.

But you have dishonored the poor man.

This was a searing evaluation. Whether the believers were aware of the effect of their favoritism or not, they had definitely dishonored the poor and those they deemed less appealing. James knew that for things to change in the church, the truth must be spoken despite its ugly reality.

You, likewise, are called to honor those around you and not to dishonor them. Despite how foreign it may feel to interact with those who are not your “type of people”, the love of God has been poured out within your heart through the Holy Spirit (see Romans 5:5). True community and fellowship among believers is only accomplished as each of us 1.) walk freely in the fruit of the Spirit toward one another; 2.) let go of the distinctions among ourselves; and 3.) refuse to judge with evil motives.

Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?  Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?

It is my opinion that James was not referring to rich believers here but to the wealthy in society at large. However, he used this observation about the ruthless, privileged few to draw a stark contrast between the things God valued as opposed to what men value. James said in effect, the people whose lifestyles you longingly crave are the same ones who oppress you and drag you into lawsuits!

Remember, persecution was afoot in James’ time, and believers were targeted as dangerous radicals whose faith was said to pose a threat to civilization. Therefore, James unmasked the true nature of the lifestyle that some Christians naively emulated. He reminded his fellow believers: It’s not the poor and meek but the rich and powerful who blaspheme the beautiful name of Jesus.

James’ rebuke, although painful, was not insensitive. He saw discrepancies in the attitudes of his brethren toward fellow Christians, and for the health of the early church and the generations of believers to come, he addressed it. Dishonor among believers will always be a direct violation of the will of God and is something worth addressing and bellaztuxedo.com cialis remedying.

May the living God, the God of liberty, move within all of us to eradicate personal favoritism and the tendency to make distinctions among ourselves. And may no one in our midst be dishonored again.

Dorothy

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Romans 12:16