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... have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
James 2:2-4 NIV
I doubt James plucked this example out of the air. In my church it's not about where you sit, but does everyone get the same welcome?
The same attention?
The same care?
Do I judge on appearances? Clothing, the car they pulled up in?
If it's someone famous or important do I make sure they meet the Pastor, hoping some of their fame/mana might accrue to me, attach to me somehow...but not that person who doesn't look or smell or walk quite right...
I think I'm trained to make quick assessments of people, categorise them, judge them.
Without knowing their story
Their hurts
Their need
Their heart
James says to me:
Check your motives
Change your heart towards people.
The outside doesn't tell the whole story
Check your heart
#james
#james2
#Godsgym
#lovepeople
#itsaheartthing
...four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus... Mark 2:3-4 NLT Great account of inventiveness and determination to get their friend to see Jesus. Love this. Do you wonder about the back story? Are these the same 4 people who bring this man food? Take him to the toilet every day. Clean him up. Does he live with one of them? Are they family? Are there whole families or groups of people in the background who have supported and cared for this man? A group of children who grew up seeing their parents love in action? Probably. Healing Help Hope These things are found in community. These 4 guys are the heroes here. The upfront people. One day it will be interesting to see who the background heroes are. #loveinaction #community #inthistogether #walkingeachotherhome #gospelofmark
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