1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:1-12)
Before I get into this reading and my thoughts, a quick explanation on my long hiatus in posting here. There’s been a few things going on that have kept me away. The biggest is that I have ALL THE THOUGHTS lately about things. And I’ve just not been able to articulate them. I come here, start a post (or go to one of my drafts) and then….my brain freezes.
So rather then push myself, I just let it go.
Until this morning. I’m doing a bible study on the book of James and today’s reading blew my mind. It clarified a lot of what’s been on my mind lately, and the pastor who led the study articulated the issue so well that I finally could break down my wall on posting here.
Here’s what the breakdown of James 2:1-12 is:
Stop worshipping those who society tells you are better than you.
When I worked in radio I saw the adoration of rock stars. I didn’t understand it (even as I had some myself!) And in the SCA I see it all the time – folks who revere those people in power – heck, I’ve been called a “SCA rockstar” myself! At work I see it around those in power as well. Sure, it’s a little different because the people in power have the ability to make your life hell, BUT we still shouldn’t put them on pedestals because of the power they have.
We need to stop worshipping/adoring ALL people in power. Politicians and musicians and actors. Tech giants. Even the royalty in Europe.
James is telling us that those people in power don’t deserve our adoration because their power in Society doesn’t matter at all to God.
We need to help those who aren’t in power. Those who need our mercy and love.
We need to help the poor, the marginalized, those with the least power in the world.
We need to stop allowing others to act like they are better than others. And we need to stop doing that too.
While we’re doing that, we need to remember that the mercy we show is given back to us by God. Any lack of mercy is repaid in kind by God.
Personally, I’m not a fan of “do x or something bad will happen to you” but in this case it’s a great reminder. We need to love others as Jesus loves us. We need to show mercy to all because that same amount will be given back to us. Personally? I’m a sinner and need all of the mercy I can get. Therefore, to reflect the mercy Christ has for us means to give mercy to everyone else. That’s a huge wake up call.
Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and love. Help us set aside our egos and pride and focus on those who need our support and love the most. Help us stop revering those in power, for they having nothing in Your mighty Kingdom. Amen.