Watch a plane board sometime. Group 1 walks on first. They get the wide seats, a drink before takeoff, and a curtain that closes so the back of the plane knows where it stands. Nobody even blinks. That’s how the world seats people.
James says the church can’t work that way. Join us Sunday, October 4 at 11 AM ET for “Faith That Sees People Differently” as we continue “Everyday Faith” in James and share communion together. Can’t make it in the room? Join us online.
👑 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (James 2:1). If Jesus is the Lord of glory, a gold ring shouldn’t be what impresses us.
💍 The man in fine clothes hears “You sit here in a good place.” The poor man in shabby clothes hears “You stand over there” (v. 2-3). James says that makes us judges with evil thoughts (v. 4).
💎 “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom” (v. 5)? The people the world skips over are often the ones God picks first.
❤️ “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 8). James calls it the royal law, the King’s law. Playing favorites breaks it (v. 9).
⚖️ “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (v. 13). People who’ve been shown mercy should be the most merciful people in the room.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a town people looked down on (John 1:46). Isaiah said there’d be nothing about His appearance to draw us to Him (Isa. 53:2). He was the Lord of glory, and He ate with tax collectors, called fishermen, stopped for a Samaritan woman at a well, and said a poor widow’s two small coins outgave everyone (Mark 12:43). Then He gave His life for people who had nothing to offer Him, which is all of us.
So this week, pay attention to who you pay attention to. The coworker nobody eats lunch with. The new face on Sunday. The neighbor who can’t do a thing for you. Ask what God sees when He looks at them. That’s everyday faith.
⏰ Join us LIVE Sunday, October 4 @ 11 AM ET
Stream & interact: https://live.lakeviewcc.net
First time? Fill out a connect card: https://lakeviewcc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/204857