Inequality and power are features of our world.

Well James 2 verse 5 points a different picture for Christian living: verse 5: Message Bible “Listen dear friends. Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently, He choses the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges. The Kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God.”

James does not concern himself with why the world system is like this, or how it may be changed. The important thing to James is how we cope with the world being like this.

Do we conform to the society practices around us, or are we known as people who treat all equally. Do we expect our churches to be known as a place where the rich and powerful are agitated and annoyed because they get no special treatment, and  the downcast of society are welcomed, which should be our standard.

Well again the standard starts with us all: Romans 12 verse 2:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the by the renewing of your mind, so that you discern what is the good,pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

When I use to work in the bank one of my bosses said to me. as to what she expected of me and has stuck with me all these years, ‘Do not conform to the standard in this office, you set the standard’. Wise words for all of us living in this fallen world, but the standard has all ready been set for us, by Our Lord and Our Friend. Now all we have to do is live that standard with His help in our life.

God Bless.

O F J.