Not Looking Down On People

Text: James 2:2-5

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Although he has enough reasons to boast without being ashamed, Paul prefers to “keep himself under” so that some can be saved. The falsehood of accusation against Paul that his speech was weak is contrary to what the peOpIe of Lystra confessed in Acts. 14:12 when they called him “Hennes” because he was a good speaker. Rather than seek for ways to understand his letters, the false apostles in Corinth were whipping up sentiments; and as long as they looked at Paul wrongly they acted immaturely by looking down on him, thereby inhibiting their knowledge and growth. Whoever claims that he knows Christ more than another person is displaying ignorance. Therefore, there is no point for any Christian to queue behind Paul, Peter, Apollo or any so-called man of God other than Christ. Paul was deliberately humble and gentle with the members of the church at Corinth because they are still babies in Christ, but the trouble makers ignorantly see the approach as a weakness on his part. Who you are and what you think about yourself are more important than what people say or think you are. Remember, “Nothing makes any meaning except the meaning you give to it" Paul's response shows that he makes no meaning out of the accusations against him because he has a good conscience. Irresponsible comparison makes average peeple overate or underrate others. The Jews overrated Abraham and underrated Jesus because they can only recognize both of them “after the flesh”. Peter told Cornelius that he is a man like him and Paul and Barnabas stopped people from worshipping them. No one is better than you and you are not better than anyone and no one's gift is better than yours. Unfortunately, we fail to identify our gifts and we think that what we have is not good enough.