FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

 FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS

From James 2:1-13

“A Warning against Prejudice

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

 

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

 

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

 

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.”

 

*****

 

Oops - I’m guilty

 

Favoritism - yup - I show favorites.  I want to think it is just because I like certain people more than others.  GF is just a friendly person; DH tends to be a crabby person.  So, I like GF more than DH.  Isn’t that okay?  BUT IF YOU FAVOR SOME PEOPLE OVER OTHERS, YOU ARE COMMITTING A SIN. (James 2:9).  

All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. So, if I don’t commit murder but I do commit adultery, I still have sinned.”

(Aside, some years ago, I was filling out a registration form and somehow I put the pencil in my pocket.  Back in my office, I found the pencil - and I felt bad because I had “stolen” it.  Pencils, pens, and other such items tend to be “advertising” media.  I don’t directly pay for ads on TV or the internet, and having a pen in my pocket that says “XYZ Company” is a form of advertisement)

And, “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others”. Thus, I have to show mercy.

The end result is one of my favorite quotes, “I can only love God as much as the person I love the least”.  I can’t show favoritism.  

I don’t always treat the poor the same as the rich.  We have many homeless people on the streets in certain parts of the Austin area. They are in effect “begging”.  They have signs “Homeless, anything will help”.  

Somehow I am guessing it is a scam.  But, what if they really do need food, shelter, and help?  

I know of a friend that has a case of bottled water in his backseat.  If he stops by a homeless person, he reaches into the backseat and pulls out a bottle of water to give to the person.  I like that concept and I should try it.  Can I have little brown lunch bag sacks with a bottle of water and an apple (or orange) I could give away?  

There is an excellent organization in Georgetown that does help those in need.  I took one of my friends who is definitely at the poverty level there last week to the food bank.  She got a lot of food - it filled up my little car.  They do help on other levels as well.  They help finance their activities with a good thrift shop - people give them usable things (free), and they sell them (with volunteers).  I know of churches in the area that support this organization.  (I also know one of the former directors of the group).  

But, that still doesn’t mean I do a good job at helping the poor, of not discriminating.

LOVE WINS

And Love winning implies that I love everyone - and that I don't discriminate!!!

Karen

July 8, 2022