Get the appTHE WISDOM OF JAMES: For Life In God's WorldSample
A large chunk of chapter 2 of James is dedicated to chastising those who favour the rich over the poor. The reason for this admonition is that we believe in the “glorious Lord Jesus Christ,” the humble servant who is lifted to the right hand of God. Any way we might measure our own relative status pales by comparison, so it’s absurd for us to favour those in fine clothes over those in humble circumstances.
Our culture is just as susceptible to showing favouritism to the wealthy, the powerful, the impressive. But those who have grasped the wonder and beauty of Christ’s love for undeserving sinners ought to look different.
Once we understand Christ’s place above all things and start to see the world with that perspective, making distinctions based on status or anything else becomes farcical and a betrayal of Jesus and his place in our lives.
Q. Where in your own life and church have you seen examples of what James is warning us about in these verses?
Prayer
Lord Jesus forgive me for measuring myself against others. Give me the clarity of insight, in light of Christ’s glory, to treat all people with dignity and love. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
The book of James provides practical wisdom for living God’s way in God’s world. Over the next 14-days, we will examine James’ exhortation for us to look like true believers. There are real rewards in giving this book attention and seeking to apply it to our lives. It has application as to how we might relate to materialism, consumerism and individualism – which make it incredibly relevant to our culture.
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We would like to thank Bible Society Australia for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://biblesociety.org.au
