Marginalizing

Destructive Value Number Two: "Others Are Valuable Because I Decide Their Worth" (Importance) (James 2:1–13)

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:8-9)

In Deuteronomy 1:17, the Jewish judges are commanded:

"Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God."

Our passage is not about judging but about fellowship. Yet the evil here is that people are still making distinctions and passing judgment. Outward appearance or social status is considered more important than those who lack such qualities.

Being selective about the importance or worth of other people is destructive within a Christian fellowship. Our church is continually growing, and that is a good thing. We have already reached the point where not everyone knows everyone else. It would be an unrealistic expectation to think we all should. We neither must nor can know everyone personally, but we must and can lovingly acknowledge one another.

We all know the feeling of being unpopular. Who, as a child, never experienced being chosen last when teams were picked? Those very feelings of loneliness, rejection, and being looked down upon resurface whenever some people are favored while others are overlooked.

It feels cold and unloving when exclusive cliques are formed. A church is not a gathering of like-minded friends but of people made new through Christ, who have an open heart for everyone.

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