James 2:1-4 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 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. 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Ouch. This stings! Most of us can easily recall a time that we treated people differently on the basis of how they dressed, skin tone, accent, gender, gender orientation, etc. James calls those who discriminate as “judges with evil thoughts.” Confession time: what evil thoughts have you had about people you have treated unfairly based on outward markers of class or other status?
Prayer: God and Father of all, our world is torn apart by prejudice, arrogance, and pride. We divide people by labels that mean nothing in your kingdom. Help us to be a bridge across different races, classes and cultures to love and understand one another better. Increase among us sympathy, tolerance, and goodwill, that we may learn to appreciate the gifts that others bring to us, and to see in all people our brothers and sisters for whom Christ died. Decrease in us jealousy, hatred, and fear, and help us to live together as members of one family at home in the world, sons and daughters of one Father who live in the liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tongue on Fire 