THE WISDOM OF JAMES: For Life In God's WorldShembull

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.