Seeing with the Eyes of Christ

"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? --James 2:1-4

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,

 Girls, the way we behave in our relationships with others says much about what we believe about God.  Our words and actions will follow what our hearts believe.  This is another one of James' tests.  Are we doing what the Word of God says or is it evident by our actions that we are hearers only?  Do our actions indicate that we want to be identified with the rich, the smart and the well dressed of the world...not the losers?  The irony here is that the people who we try to impress usually care about us the least.   Jesus came as a humble servant born in a feed trough.  He was a Friend of sinners.  He did not condone their sin but had compassion on them. The New Testament tells us that He was not swayed by men because He knew what was in man.  He saw people as sinners in need of a Savior or sheep in need of a Shepherd.   Do our actions reveal to others the mind and heart of our God or do they reveal the evil tendencies of our own heart?

God is impartial and commands us to be, also.

 "For there is no partiality with God."--Romans 2:11


And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;--1 Peter 1:17


 You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.--Leviticus 19:15


You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.' --Deuteronomy 1:17


Our God does not show favoritism and is not a respecter of persons.  He does not judge us on appearances, social status, abilities, race or any other criteria you can think of.  He judges us according to our works without partiality.  Our God looks at our hearts.  He sees our potential.  God saw a king in a shepherd boy.  He saw a gospel writer in a tax collector.  Jesus, Himself, was despised and rejected and yet He was the very glory of God!  Religious experts of the day rejected Him as God and crucified Him. 


We are all guilty of being judges with evil thoughts...looking at the outward...on the appearance of a man and making assumptions and judgments based on what we see.  We are more likely to help and be kind to someone who is well dressed and smells nice rather than someone who is poor and not so well attired.  We cater to the rich hoping it may profit us.  Jesus did not do this and does not approve of those who do. 


The basis of our relationship with anyone should be the person and work of Jesus Christ.  We need to look at everyone with the eyes of Christ.  What we see will guide our thoughts, words and our actions in His love.  Warren Wiersbe puts it into such practical terms.  If the person is a Christian, we can accept him because Christ lives in him.  If the person is an unbeliever, we can receive him because Christ died for him."  Christ is the link between us and others.  Any other basis is not going to work.


Love,
Mom