Good morning! Today we will continue our reading in James chapter two. In these verses, James will continue to share the reason why we should have compassion for all.
Bible Verse – James 2:8-9 NLT
“8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[d] 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”
Reflection
According to these verses we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is not a new statement, it comes from the Old Testament book of Leviticus chapter 19 which focuses on Holiness in personal conduct. It reads: “18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” In the New Testament book of Matthew chapter 22, nearly the same words are spoken by Christ. Verses 37-39 reads: “37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” The Levitical law in the Old Testament was affirmed by Christ in the New Testament.
Sisters and brothers, being compassionate and showing compassion for others is not a new concept. For centuries, our biblical principles have been rooted in those words. Love is the right thing, but prejudicial favoritism is not, it is a sin. If you are wondering what our world would look like if prejudicial favoritism disappeared – I’m sure we would see more people living in obedience to Christ and the Word of God, and loving like Christ.
I know there are others who proclaim to be Christian’s who may not be living these principles out, but we can. We can continue to be a light in this dark world. We can continue to love as Christ loves us. We can help our neighbors and demonstrate Christ’s love wherever we go and in whatever we do.
Not by preferential love – just love!
Sisters and brothers, we don’t need to boast about our relationship with Christ, but our actions and obedience to the Word of God will bear fruit for others to see and be blessed by. Just love and God will give you discernment and wisdom when you love. Listen for the Holy Spirit to show you areas in your life where these verses need to be worked on in your life and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in obedience.
Prayer
Father God, we thank you for your loving kindness and grace. We thank you for loving us enough to send your son Jesus Christ to save us. When we were spiritually dead in our sin, we were given an opportunity to repent and turn away from our sins and be forgiven. Lord, we desire to live in obedience to your Word and put it into action. Lord, start with us today. Lord, help us as we take these verses that we read today and apply them to our lives.
Lord, continue to transform us and make us more like you in our homes, marriages, singleness, parenting, adulting, work environments, schools, communities, and churches. Lord, let your light shine through us. Help us to lead people to You.
Lord, continue to put Your hands on all the children who are going back to school. Lord, keep them safe and healthy as they go to and from school. Lord, equip them with the information they need to learn this school year. Protect them from school shootings, bullies, and anything else that sets itself to harm.
Lord, we continue to pray for those who are recovering from surgery. Lord, we know healing is in Your hands, and we ask You – mighty Healer, to heal and renew them. Lord, we pray for those impacted by the earthquake in Columbia. Lord, we pray for those grieving the loss of lives, homes, jobs, etc. Lord, you know their needs – provide what they need.
Lord, we also lift up all the prayers of the readers and we ask that you answer their prayers. In Jesus name, amen.
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