Thought for October 5, 2023

  • 1864: About 60,000 die in a cyclone in Calcutta
  •  1914: First aerial combat resulting in a "kill"
  • 1921: First World Series radio broadcast
  • 1925: WSM radio begins transmission
  • 1931: First non-stop trans-Pacific flight
  • 1945: "Meet the Press" premiers on radio
  • 1947: Harry Truman makes the first televised Presidential address from the White House
  • 1956: "Ten Commandments" is released
  • 1962: James Bond in "Dr. No" premiers in London
  • Born: Jonathan Edwards, Chester A. Arthur, Robert Goddard, Ray Kroc, Bill Dana, Kate Winslet
  • Died: Charles Cornwallis, Tecumseh, Louis Brandeis, Rodney Dangerfield, Steve Jobs
Thought:
Reading James 2:1-13 today where I have marked several words and phases. My Bible says the subject is the sin of partiality. Apparently there was a problem in the body. The wealthy and powerful were receiving special treatment and respect while the poor were being looked down upon. What does James say about partiality?
  • Start with the great commandments [2:8]. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. If you love your neighbor as yourself, you cannot show partiality. Avoiding the sin of partiality starts with obeying the commandment to love. If we love, we cannot consider someone less than we are. If we love, we cannot harm someone by telling them their wealth, dress, jewelry, education define their worth. 
  • Partiality:
    • Is not like God. Deuteronomy 10:17 tells us that God does not show partiality or take a bribe. In James the people were honoring the rich with evil motives [2:4] Playing up to the rich who might do something for you and pushing down the poor who you don't think can give you anything. All have sinned--no partiality. The kingdom will be every tribe, tongue, race, gender--no partiality. 
    • Violates the command to be generous and share. Rather than looking down at the poor and humiliating them, the word commands that we provide for the poor. 1 John 3:16-19--for failure to do so shows that we really do not love. 
    • Teaches the wealthy and powerful that their value is in their stuff and leads them to be filled with pride and ego. I don't often think of this, but when I give some ultra special treatment to someone because he/she is my boss, wealthy, positioned or powerful, I may hurt them by giving them a false value system and an enhanced pride and ego. 
Lord, help me see and treat each of your children with love and respect, not looking for gain on my part, but seeking to serve as You served. 

Blessings
Larry

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