Daily Devotionals

Pressure Point Week 4: Monday

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? James 2:1

What comes to mind when you think of the word "different"? Do you have negative or positive connotations? Unfortunately, for many people, different is thought of negatively. Instead of seeing the beauty of the differences around us, some of us see differences as bad or uncomfortable. This kind of thinking gives way to all kinds of prejudice. Scripture clarifies that there is no room for prejudice in the Kingdom of God. 

James teaches us against prejudice and favoritism in James 2. He wrote, “How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others” (verse 1). Then, he gave an example of this favoritism, explaining that favoring those dressed in expensive clothes and discriminating against people dressed in poor or dirty clothing is discriminatory and unacceptable. James continued teaching, “Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith?" (verse 5). God's economy is different than our economy. This extends beyond finances to appearances, political views, intellect, and much more. God sees and views things differently than the rest of the world. That is why there is no room in God’s economy for any prejudice or favoritism.

 Unfortunately, our sinful human nature is bent toward prejudice and favoritism. We become comfortable with what is familiar to us. There is a better way: letting go of prejudice and favoritism and seeing everyone around us as perfectly created by God. We put differences aside and love the people around us because God loves them. After all, there truly is no room for prejudice in the kingdom of God.

Moving toward action

In the weekend sermon, we heard about several areas where we may tend to show prejudice: financial prejudice,  intellectual prejudice, political prejudice, appearance prejudice, racial prejudice, and spiritual prejudice. Which of these areas do you struggle with the most? Write it down in a notebook or journal. How can you step away from that prejudice in your life beginning today? Write about that as well. Take steps away from that prejudice starting today and show love to others instead.

Going Deeper

James 2:1-9

"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, 4 doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law."