Prejudice and Faith

 James 2: 1-10. 14- 17 v 10 “For the person who keeps all the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.”

                                               V 17 “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”

How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people above others? If you pay special attention to the rich person, but say to the poor one, “You can stand over there or sit on the floor” – well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? For the person who keeps all the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. So, you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Prejudice and faith, shown by words and actions. This passage is a wake-up call to all of us to look closely at out thoughts and our actions.

Prejudice defined from Merrian Webster dictionary: –

1. : injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one’s rights

especially : detriment to one’s legal rights or claims

2 a(1): preconceived judgment or opinion

(2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge

b: an instance of such judgment or opinion

c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics

Living two thousand years ago or today we can see the actions of others show preferential treatment to the rich over the poor, to those of different faiths, with a different skin color, to those larger in stature. How often do we instantly form an opinion, a negative attitude to those we meet. Jesus welcomed all and was often accused of associating with undesirable types. We might not be murders but we are just as guilty of sin by our attitudes and our actions if we show prejudices to others. Humbly walk in the world today with a heart of love for all, in all we do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father who loves us all, help us to have a loving heart for all we meet today and that our actions support this love. Amen.