Day 24
BIBLE READING: James 2:1-10
In the early years of the Christian church, many of the members were slaves or were very poor. On the other hand there were some who were very rich. James said no matter who people may be or how much money they may have, they are all the same in the sight of God. Every one must be treated in the same way.
God sees men and women as they really are - all sinners needing a Saviour. God said to Samuel, when he went to anoint David in the house of Jesse in Bethlehem, 'Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart'.
We need to see men and women in the same way. It is easy for us to be nice to those who are nice to us. We don't find it difficult to love those who are lovely. But it is very different when we are face to face with those who are unlovely.
What does James say to us from what he calls the 'royal law'? 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Our friends are those whom we choose for ourselves. Our neighbours are those whom God has chosen for us. He puts us along-side various kinds of people during our lifetime. His plan is for us to be witnesses to them, no matter who they might be.
It is not easy to do this, but if that is what God wants, then certainly he will give us the grace to do it. Our church gatherings also ought to be places where everyone feels genuinely welcome in the name of Christ.
Perhaps the word from James to us today is to look again at how we treat people, the lovely and the unlovely, the well dressed and the poorly dressed, the clean and the dirty. Do we see them all as God sees them - men and women who all need Christ? Do we seek to lead them to him?
A VERSE FOR TODAY:
God is no respecter of persons.
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