Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

FAVORITISM

March 15, 2010

Gold Status--Recently American Airlines informed me that I was a Gold Status traveller, and I'm entitled to certain perks, favoritism, that I could not have as a routine coach traveller--no baggage fees, preferred seating, upgrade possibilities...I like being gold!

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My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor person in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the one wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the one who is poor, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
- James 2:1-4 TNIV
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In our daily world, and the way we are to live with one another--you know, "Love one another," James does not have much use for Gold Status. I cannot "love my neighbor as myself" when I live status conscious and discriminatory. The gospel teaches us an old American male proverb: "We all put on our pants one leg at a time." Meaning, when it comes to being a Christ-follower, it's a one-class situation--we all live forever dependent on the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ.
People are always telling preachers, "We want it relevant!" Well, sisters and brothers, James IS RELEVANT! Maybe too relevant. He tells his readers, "Repent." I've heard it said, "The ground is level at the cross!" I interpret that to mean in heaven we're all sitting in Grace Status. Ain't no upgrades, just the love of God in Christ.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson