All Equal at the Foot of the Cross

James 2:1-4 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

1 Samuel 16:7 clearly tells us that God sees not as man sees. While we make quick, and very often erroneous, judgments about people by simply looking at their outward appearance, God looks at the person's heart. For that reason we are never to put ourselves in a position to judge someone based on the clothes they wear, whether they are rich or poor; or judge anyone on the basis of one of our own prejudices. This is of utmost importance, especially if we call ourselves born again followers of Jesus. We are commanded not to blemish our testimony for Christ by showing favor to one person over another, simply because one is wealthy and the other poor. We are never to treat one person better than the other, simply because we have made the judgment that treating one person a certain way will be more beneficial for us in the long run, or even in the immediate. When we judge others based on who we think they are, or what we think they have to offer, we become "judges of evil thoughts". This is completely contrary to who God is, and what He has commanded over and over. The Old Testament Scriptures repeatedly tells us that we are not to show partiality. The New Testament tells us, in Romans 2:11, that there is no respect of persons with God. When we begin to treat others on the basis of our personal judgments, and shallow opinions, we develop cliques within the local church, and cause division within the body; a thing that God clearly stated He hates. Praise be to God that He chose not to be a respecter of persons, and instead chose to die for the world; so that wretches like us could be saved. Glory to God, who was not partial, and offered love to each and every one of us; not based on who we are, but based on who He is. Let us today, and always, love and treat others without partiality so that the love of Jesus will truly shine forth and make a difference in someone else's life; regardless of who they are, what they have, or where they came from. When it's all said and done, we are all equal at the foot of the Cross.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).