James 2:1-13
In the heat of summer going to an Ice Cream shop is a treat. Behind the glass case is wide selection of cold ice cream just waiting for you. There are choices of candy flavors, chocolate flavors and fruit flavors. If you are like me it is hard to make a choice, but we always seem to go back to the certain flavors that we prefer. What flavor would you choose? We like flavors that not only taste good but also in some way make us feel good. Perhaps a specific flavor brings back a memory of a special time or a special place. We choose what we do because we like it and the benefits it brings. However, do we treat people in much the same way? Of all the types and personalities of people which ones are we attracted to? Typically, we like the ones that like us and that benefit us. That problem, favoritism, is the problem that James addresses as he begins chapter 2. He starts with a command to not allow faith to be incorrectly influenced by favoritism (1). Historically this was a problem in the church as people would show preference to the important and wealthy (2-4). James points out that honor based on wealth is incorrect (5-7). Instead, James says, true love is shown without partiality (8). Our service is not to be based on what someone can give. Instead our service is based on the correct understanding and practice of mercy (12-13). The problem is our world promotes that we deserve more of what we like. We must remember that we are undeserving and that our blessing comes from God. We should always seek to elevate Christ and His mercy, and also seek our blessing from God as we serve unconditionally just as Jesus served us.
For more see JAMES
In the heat of summer going to an Ice Cream shop is a treat. Behind the glass case is wide selection of cold ice cream just waiting for you. There are choices of candy flavors, chocolate flavors and fruit flavors. If you are like me it is hard to make a choice, but we always seem to go back to the certain flavors that we prefer. What flavor would you choose? We like flavors that not only taste good but also in some way make us feel good. Perhaps a specific flavor brings back a memory of a special time or a special place. We choose what we do because we like it and the benefits it brings. However, do we treat people in much the same way? Of all the types and personalities of people which ones are we attracted to? Typically, we like the ones that like us and that benefit us. That problem, favoritism, is the problem that James addresses as he begins chapter 2. He starts with a command to not allow faith to be incorrectly influenced by favoritism (1). Historically this was a problem in the church as people would show preference to the important and wealthy (2-4). James points out that honor based on wealth is incorrect (5-7). Instead, James says, true love is shown without partiality (8). Our service is not to be based on what someone can give. Instead our service is based on the correct understanding and practice of mercy (12-13). The problem is our world promotes that we deserve more of what we like. We must remember that we are undeserving and that our blessing comes from God. We should always seek to elevate Christ and His mercy, and also seek our blessing from God as we serve unconditionally just as Jesus served us.
For more see JAMES
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