Doing some reading this morning and as God so often does he showed me how wrong I and perhaps to a larger extent the church as a whole has been. I have made plans, hosted events, and tried to grow a few churches by focusing on young families. In fact, if we are being honest that's what most churches focus on when they are trying to grow. Young families seem to be like the trophy of all (ok, at least most) churches these days. Yet as I read James 2 this morning, I had an overwhelming sense of conviction that I have been guilty of playing favorites with God's people.
Check this out:
James (NLT)2: 1 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 namet you bear?
Dang that hits me hard.
I have often said as a prayer to God "Lord, give us the people no one else want's." Yet, my and our actions corporately as a church have been geared around reaching the group that every church wants, young families. I am not sure where I go with this, but it is giving me plenty of uneasiness as a pastor and church leader. How can I manage to have my actions, and our churches actions live up to the words of James? Right now, I just don't know. But I can tell you this stings a little.
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