James 2:8-11

Scripture: James 2:8-11
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, “Do not commit adultery,” also said “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
 

Observations: 
I love love love love that we are free and righteous in Christ. We are all lawbreakers. That’s why He chose the cross. How horrible and hopeless would we be if we were just “lawbreakers” and had no hope or freedom? But we are forgiven, not just for the sins we confess, but for all sins! Out of LOVE and out of a grateful spirit, we live as though we are still under the law. We strive to abide by the law. Praise God, that when we fail, He sees our hearts and intentions. He knows that we are imperfect, and Christ’s righteousness is ours. God looks at us and sees Jesus, because we love Him and He dwells in us. We are redeemed lawbreakers. This should fuel us to be loving to all, because we are SO loved.
 

Application: 
We love to love ourselves. We like special treats, we like nice clothing, we like to be warm and comfortable at night. Extending this to others? Well that’s a little difficult. That would mean surrendering a lot of possessions and getting out of our comfort zones. Can we live this out? It’s easy to do it with our family and “loved ones” but we’re called to extend the term “loved ones” to those around us. 
 

Prayer: 
God, let us not hoard our blessings. Let us give to the poor. We love you and we are so loved. Let this overflow into our actions. I pray for a generation that acts out your love. I am blessed by this group of women, who act it out. They long to feed the poor and minister to the homeless. They care for the sick. God, open doors that we may be effective. In Christ’s name I ask, amen.

James 2:2-4

Scripture: James 2:2-4
2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby 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?

Observations: 
I remember in school feeling like I was judged by my clothing. I didn’t have the brand name stuff, and I did feel like the “popular kids” got special attention. I think this is true also in restaurants and in retail in general. We assume the rich person will purchase something and tip, and treat them with special attention. On the flipside, we get suspicious if someone comes in looking like they can’t afford the products or won’t tip.

Application: 
It honors God when we help the poor, and treat them as they are: people! They were made in the image of God, just the same way. I heard someone talking about how the library in another city becomes a sketchy place when the weather is bad, because the homeless people go into it for shelter. I wanted to ask why the homes aren’t open for these people. Why is the community not heartbroken for their poor? Do you have to have a house to be considered a neighbor, or are we not called to love others?

Prayer: 
Lord I pray for broken hearts. I pray for compassion in communities. I pray that people are able to understand and reach out to the poor. I pray for the kids in school who are treated differently because of their clothing, that they grow up in humility and understand they are worthy. Father, comfort them. In Jesus’ name I ask, amen.

James 2:1

Scripture: James 2:1  

1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.

Observations: 

 Favoritism, partiality, special treatment, bias... when we do this, we are saying we love one person more than another simply because of what they have/look like. God loves us all the same, whether we are dirty, broken, young, old, rich, poor, righteous, unrighteous. He LOVES us regardless, and we should love others because of our GLORIOUS Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Application: 

 I think a humbling experience is to visit with the poor, or visit a jail, or a nursing home (trust me, people view the elderly as useless... it's so sad) and let that equality sink through. God loves us all the same, no matter what. When Christ would eat, He would sit with the outcasts of society. He didn't care how it made Him look. It might be good practice for us to do the same when the opportunities arise.

 

Prayer: 

Lord forgive us for picking favorites. God, it's so much easier to be around people that are like us. Help us to broaden our hearts and see people the way You do, and reach out to them and love them unconditionally. In Christ's name I pray, amen!

Ephesians 6:5-9

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men,
8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
 
Observations:
I love this passage so much. Work consumes so much of my time and effort, and it's so easy to develop a negative, lazy attitude about it! How exciting that there's more to it than a paycheck!!!! GOD in heaven is watching me and He takes note of my work ethic. That makes me that much more motivated to be a light in my workplace, and strive to be a great employee :)
  
Application:
God calls us to be honest, hard-working people! He demands us to be fair. Whether we have a boss or we are the boss, we are supposed to treat people with respect and sincerity. We should be known for how hard we work! And we should take joy in our labor because we're being rewarded so far beyond what this world can offer!!
  
Prayer:
God, let everything we do be for Your glory! Let us have a boost of confidence and energy today as we strive to represent You well! Help us to serve wholeheartedly at whatever tasks we do today! Thank You for your constant presence. We long to do Your will from our hearts, so we ask You to provide the means. In Christ's name I pray, amen!