Are You Color Blind

James 2:1-7

A Warning against Prejudice

2 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 name you bear?

     Gosh! Where do I start?! It amazes me, that none of us are immune to doing this, at one time or another. It could be with a celebrity, or an author, the President, an evangelist... When we "give honor" to someone over another, we are being 'color blind' to what God may have in store. Not just for our sake, but for the persons we are either lifting up or putting down. I was a bit shocked at the words in verse 4 "4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?" Evil motives? Well, if I am honest, when I look back at the times I have been a person like this, treating people differently - yes, I was doing so to have them recognize me, or share with me something to "gain" in front of others... Yup - this verse is spot on and cuts right to the bone!

However, the last parts of this section, verses 5-7 gave me a visual MEF (minds eye flash), 2 in 1 actually. First a poor family in town. Their house barley holding together. Kids running around. Grama on the porch. Daddy working hard in the fields. Momma working hard in the house. Their clothes are well won and patched up and a bit raggedy. Their shoes, well, for those wearing them, are worn out and have holes in them. Not much around them in the way of possessions, toys, gadgets, luxuries. The kids share a bed, one dresser, and a few books. No one goes hungry, yet there is only the things necessary to bring nourishment to their bodies, nothing fancy or extravagant. Looking around, watching this family interact - their words are kind, loving, encouraging, helpful and their actions are likewise. The pure joy and happiness they have with and for each other, is peaceful, calming, and a real pleasure to witness! Their joy is in the promises of God yet to come! Knowing with all of their hearts, that one day, they will be living on streets of gold, in a big mansion, never wanting for anything, no pain or sorrow, worry or concerns. Their 'future' is in the company of God - what a blessing that will come! They are willing at a moments notice to help anyone in need. Even a perfect stranger. They will go hungry, offer their clothes off their back, and provide shelter for someone in need. They wear generosity and grace like their second skin.

     Then as I turn to the left, instantly I'm in the middle of a courtroom. Surrounded by people with fancy clothes, fineness to its fullest. They have more money than they know what to do with, and yet instead of 'helping' others, they are trying to get what belongs to the others, all that they have. Those who are poor or have less than what is necessary to be considered a "middle-class citizen". These people of wealth and means are actually the ones spending money to make money. They are causing pain, agony, hurt and loss on a family in need. They are ganging up on them in court to 'take' from this family what little they have. They seem to be the ones that can't let a negative or constructional criticism go, without fighting back at it with a vengeance! In the courtroom, they start pulling out all the stops. They have hired people to do and say things that are not true against this family. They are slandering them with all sorts of twists of truth, that are bringing dishonor and disgrace to the family. Dragging their name through the mud so to speak. Yet, in reality, this family and all that they have, is but pennies to this group of people in the courtroom. For the family - what is being taken away, is their 'everything'. For the rich, it is just to add to the pile of 'riches' and they really gain nothing. The family, keeps holding on to truth, faith, and belief - yet, the 'rich' keep digging a hole even deeper for this family to fall in to. The slander seems like truth. The root of it all? The utmost belief and faith of the family in Jesus. They are being attacked, pulled through the mud, having their home and life turned upside down, all because of their proclamation of Jesus and their love for Him and others. 

     As I watch this play out, I realize that this could be happening to me! Any day, any moment - all because of who I am in Jesus. Because I am a daughter of the King. Just because of evil verses good. Wow! The poor don't try to pressure us, hold us down, drag us to court - it is the people that have more money than sense and have nothing better to do with their day, than to cause others trouble. Goodness! Talk about being 'color-blind'! It doesn't matter the color of our skin, we ALL can fall victim to this! I am SO thankful, that the Lord has blessed be with 'blinders' so to speak, of color, age, religion, background, language, race and even male & female. That I 'see' others through the lens of Jesus, well - most of the time LOL Of course, there are times I wear my 'worldly glasses' and fall in the trap of judging others. But thankfully, God quickly has the Holy Spirit nudge me with a dose of reality. Today, lets take a good hard look at ourselves and how we look at and treat others. Are we being free and willing, or are we being stingy and hateful? Yes, we are human, and we will revert back to our 'natural person' from time to time. But let us ask God to make those times few and far between as well as short and quick. Putting our-self in their shoes, and treating others how we would want to be treated in a similar situation. You never know, when an angel in disguise is right there in your midst. Scripture tells us, that how we treat others - is actually how we are treating Jesus. Oh boy!! I'm praying that you are a blessing to others today and that you receive a blessing in return for doing so! If you are 'color blind' - I pray that you put on your Jesus Glasses and see His truth, beauty, joy, compassion, love and kindness! :-)