"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." James 2:1
Notice here the respect James gives his half brother (according to the flesh) by calling Him by His full name, "our Lord Jesus Christ." And he also call him "the Lord of glory." Here is a strong assertion of the deity of Christ.
What James is telling us here in this verse is not to profess faith in Christ and at the same time be a spiritual snob. All believers are brethren in the body of Christ, whatever their denomination. There is a fellowship of believers ~ friendship should be over them as a banner! James is addressing the total community of believers: the rich, the poor, the common people, the high, the low, the bond and free, the Jew and the Gentile, the Greek and the barbarian, male and female alike. They are all one when they are in the body of Christ. There is a brotherhood within the body of believers, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the common denominator. Friendship and fellowship are the legal tender among believers.
Jame's says, "Don't hold your faith with respect of persons." If you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ and another person belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, he is your brother. However, if a sinner comes into your assembly or you otherwise come into contact with him/her, remember that they are a human being for whom Christ died. They stand at the foot of the cross, just as you and I stand at the foot of the cross.
The Old Testament taught Israel not to regard the person of the rich or of the poor. God, in the Mosaic system, cautioned: "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor" (Leviticus 19:15). Simon Peter learned this lesson at Joppa when God let down from heaven the sheet full of unclean animals and commanded him to eat of them. Peter concluded from that experience, ". . . Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34).
God views all people as equal. We should have respect for our fellow brothers and sisters with this in mind. And let us always remember, we all stand at the foot of the cross!
God Bless you with a wonderful day.
Love in Christ Jesus, Sandy |
