We Are Equals

James 2:1-7 ⁽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? (NIV)

        There was once a father who had two sons living in the northern parts of Africa. One of the sons was very smart, well liked amongst his peers, and a favorite to all who knew him. The other son had a slight mental delay due to complications at birth, barely had any friends, and was seldom acknowledged by his father and others around. The father always catered to the smart son and supplied him with everything that he wanted, while the other son knew that he would not get the same treatment, so he remained content with the little that he had.

        The boys finally grew up into young men and each took a different path. The one son, who had been given everything, became a partygoer, an alcoholic, and threw his life away on booze, drugs and women, while the other son, who many thought wouldn’t amount to much, got an honest job, worked long hours, and attended night school several times a week.

        The father grew old and was no longer able to care for himself, so he needed someone to help him. The son, to whom much had been given, was in no position to help his aging father. After many years of using drugs and alcohol, he was arrested and sent to prison for attempting to sell illegal drugs to an undercover cop.  The other son, who everyone underestimated, welcomed his father into his humble home and attended to him with the best of care. 

         One day, as the father was sitting at the table, while his son cooked breakfast, he broke the silence and asked, “Why are you taking such good care of me when I never treated you as well as your brother?” The young man hesitated before speaking, and finally replied to his father by saying, “My brother was your favorite and I can understand why. However, I was God’s favorite because you were mine.”

        The Apostle James wrote to let all believers know that we are not to make differences with each other regardless of status. We are all equals in the eyes of God and therefore, we are to treat everyone in the same loving manner as He does. Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism. (NIV) In the above story, the young man’s response was not to say that God loves one of His children over another, but his acknowledgment that in being obedient despite how he was treated gained favor in the eyes of God. 

        Money, status or fame should never determine how we treat others. There is no first, second or third class seats in Heaven. Jesus once responded to a question posed to him with regards to who would be the greatest in Heaven. Matthew 18:1-5 ⁽¹⁾At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ⁽²⁾He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ⁽³⁾And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁽⁴⁾Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁽⁵⁾And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (NIV)

        What Jesus was letting the disciples know was that if you seek to be the greatest, you will be the least in the kingdom. Nevertheless, for those who clothe themselves in the garments of humility like a child, will be the greatest. Always remember that God loves all His children the same and that He expects us to treat everyone equally with love. 

 

The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.