No Distinction

My brothers and sisters, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? (James 2:1-5)

Now this reading from James strikes at the heart of the matter and lays bare who we tend to be; that is, we judge people by jewelry and clothes – by their appearance and by their social status. Faith in Jesus Christ involves non-judgmental behavior and not making distinctions as to who is worthy of our attention and where they should sit.  Do we say, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here, please.” 

We are heirs of the kingdom when we love God. This means when we love our neighbor.  There is no distinction.

Deacon David Pierce