Appearances

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 with 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? But you dishonored the poor. 

Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court? Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you? However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (James 2:1-9)

James knew human nature.  We tend to notice the well-dressed and all-decked-out instead of the one dressed down due to inadequate funds or humility.  The magazines we buy or stuffed into our mailboxes make that clear.  Appearance is everything according to so many people.  What is hidden beneath the finery is not as important until it is uncovered through personal relationships and the discovery that the visually appealing gentleman or fair lady is downright despicable and haughty.  Much can be hidden under expensive jewelry and the latest high fashion.

Of course, the aforementioned characterization is a generalization.  Many rich people are generous and kind.  It’s those who are transformed by wealth and the power it brings who fall away and don’t love their neighbors as themselves. We are all capable of that falling away regardless of economic and social status. 

We are all capable of oppressing our brothers and sisters.  Jesus knows human nature including the fact that we may not love ourselves.  That’s the first hurdle Jesus asks us to jump.  Whether rich, poor, or somewhere in between, we will do well when we stop “oppressing” ourselves by recognizing we have been created in the image of God meaning we deserve to be loved for who we are regardless of our circumstance and the sins we may have committed.  Forgive ourselves; love ourselves. Let’s remember we are heirs of the Kingdom God has promised to us when we love others and ourselves.  So, pucker up.

Deacon David Pierce