James 2:1-12 The Royal Rule of Love

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202:1-12&version=65

There is a standard that is set throughout scripture. Again it seems to fly in the face of society’s norms. In Mary ’s Song (Luke 1:51-53) with Jesus constricted to a few cells in the womb of Mary she praised God. She was a peasant girl in a backwater town and she raised her voice and said "He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thought. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty."

It would seem that the proud apparently can not imagine their poverty, their destitution while their gaze focuses on material things. In their eyes they are okay and can successfully handle whatever life throws at them. In Matt. 9:12 Jesus explains why He reaches out to those who acknowledge their personal poverty. Jesus said "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick….for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." The woman accused of adultery, the leper distanced from the rest of society, the thief being punished at Calvary, the centurion who sought Jesus’ help for his servant…the list is full of variety but the common denominator remains the same. Those that sought, found. Jesus by example and word shows those of us who would follow Him that we too are to avoid secular utilitarian values being placed on individuals. We are to respond, even embrace all those who, aware of their need, seek salvation and fulfillment in Jesus.

Some people are wired up differently than others. Some are gentle, some are abrasive! Some are attractive, some draw stares and avoidance! We are called to roll out the Royal Red Carpet to all who desire to draw close to God. God’s love is experienced through your willingness and my willingness to be identified with people that society has marginalized. Places of honour we initiate, according to the scriptures, often tend to be inappropriate. We elevate and by so doing we also relegate others to lower positions. Jesus tells us in Mark 9:35 "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Paul tells us that we are members of the body of Christ and that honour is due to all parts as they are gifted according to God’s will. (Rom. 12:3-9) (1 Cor. 12:14-26). It appears to me that the communion table is one table. There is no head table here but brother and sister join together in Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour. (1 Cor. 11:17-29)

I find it interesting and confirming that after Paul speaks of the various parts of the Body of Christ in 1 Cor. 12 the last verse goes on "And now I will show you the most excellent way". This statement leads right into 1 Cor. 13 the love chapter and ends with "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Follow the way of love."

Noel