James 2:5-6‏

"Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

Do I have the right to reject anyone whom God has chosen? Why do we ignore the Holy Spirit's promptings against excluding our brothers and sisters from our churches, exclude them from our homes, and our table, and our friendship and love? God has chosen people of every color and walk of life... the rich and the poor. And all that He chose them for was on the basis of his mercy and grace.

God did not seek our approval... He never inquired as to what I thought; he just chose them. Do I have any right to exclude them from the love He has now shown me? God chose the outcast of society. Can I exclude them? "To dishonor the poor man", James says, "is to reject someone whom God has chosen." God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. They are brothers. God has chosen the poor, but the society in which we live rejects them and caters to the rich and famous.

6. "But you [in contrast] have insulted (humiliated, dishonored, and shown your contempt for) the poor. Is it not the rich who domineer over you? Is it not they who drag you into the law courts?"

Oh the irony in our control over that which does NOT belong to us. The things of God are exactly that... they are God's. Though saved, we still have that SELF will... that controlling yearning to have and do things as "we" think they should be. We look at the outward appearance of those around us and pick and choose as though we are God...and look at the irony in our choices. In James' day, the very ones honored and distinguished ruled over the people harshly. Our difficulty lies not in understanding this text, but in applying it.

"Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:5-7

How did Christ receive us? Without partiality! We are to receive one an other the same way. If you are partial, if you accept or reject people on the basis of the outward, you are not walking in love. Our media and culture may focus on the rich and famous, but God does not, and neither should we. As believers, let's strive to deal with the sin of partiality in our lives that we may live lives that honor God and reflect His character.

Let's pick up with James verse 2:7-8 next time.

I love you.