February 27th - James 2:1

James 2:1 Do you have favourites? Or do you look at all other people in exactly the same way whatever their age, education, wealth, beauty, race or religion, and irrespective of whether you know them or not? We would all like to claim that we don’t have favourites, but James points out to his readers that favouritism very easily creeps into our thinking. James describes a situation that could happen in any local church. A wealthy person comes into a service and is welcomed generously and given a good seat. He is followed by a scruffy man, whose poverty is plain for all to see, who is rudely told to sit down or find a place on the floor. James proclaims boldly that this should not happen. Favouritism should not happen in us or our churches because God doesn’t do it. God welcomes everyone, whoever they are, and we are called to do the same. On the face of it, this sounds very reasonable and straightforward. But it is far harder to put into practice. We all have preferences and we all get on with some people better than others. I always feel anxious when I go to a church where everyone looks the same. Similar age, education, wealth, ethnicity and outlook. I understand how it happens, but it hardly suggests that we have learned to welcome people in the same way as God. I am not suggesting it is easy not to show favouritism. But the Bible makes it plain that it is totally unacceptable to God. The Church should be a place which throws open its arms to every kind of person. Question What would you do if you saw favouritism taking place in your church? Prayer Lord forgive me if I have allowed favouritism to creep into my thinking. Help me to welcome everyone in the way that you do. Amen