BSFL Sunday School Commentary for the week of November 15, 2009

Treat Everyone Equally  James 2

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." Scout, daughter of Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Differences. How often do we notice the differences in people rather than the ways we are alike? We notice differences in economic status based on where people live, what they wear, or what car they drive (or don’t drive). We notice differences in families, skin color, schools attended, career paths, and a multitude of other categories. But God is different. He doesn’t think the way we think or look at people the way we look at people. He doesn’t compare us with others. And He doesn’t play favorites. Instead, He sees each person as His unique creation and embraces the differences. For God, different is not bad because all can be reconciled to Him through Jesus. And Jesus wants us to be His ambassadors, connecting all people by leading them to reconcile with God.

God's Word explicitly commands those of us who share faith in Christ not to show favoritism. The Greek word refers to acts of partiality, respect of persons, snobbery, or any kind of preferential treatment based on external factors. James 2:2-4 gives a painful example of favoritism in the church. An obviously rich man is treated with special care while an obviously poor man is treated shabbily. In this case, people were treated based on socio-economic indicators rather than who they were in the eyes of God.

Poor and rich alike who have turned from sin, accepted God's forgiveness, and put Jesus in charge of their lives enjoy equal status in the Kingdom of God. We should not take these verses to infer that God prefers the poor over the rich (vs. 5). Scripture abounds with passages that invite whosoever will to come and be saved. However, scripture also shows that the wealthy too often look to their riches for fulfillment instead of Jesus Christ. No special position is given to the poor here, except that they are to be cared for by the church.

Poor and rich are not the only classes of people that receive differing treatment within a fleshly church. Black vs. white, English-speaking vs. another-language speaking, long-time member vs. newer member, faithful member vs. non-faithful member; the list could and does go on and on. Do you remember ever being left out of a game or gathering as a child? How did that feel? How deep was the hurt? Such treatment among God's children should never be!

We may choose to reject this important truth, but James minces no words calling such preferential treatment sin. Any sin breaks God's law and brings punishment. We may not steal or kill, but we steal the joy and kill the spirit of other believers when we shun them or treat them as lower than ourselves. Just as we have received mercy from God, we are to show equal mercy to all, regardless of race, color, language, economic standing, social standing, or perceived benefit or loss.

Listen closely to the song in the video below. Determine that with God's help, you will show His mercy and love to ALL.