Posted on 06/19/2023 6:31:17 AM PDT by metmom
"If a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' and you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,' have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?" (James 2:2-4). You must show equal respect to poor and rich alike.
Partiality is an age-old problem that exists in almost every area of life. Perhaps its most common manifestations are racial, religious, and socio-economic discrimination. By implication James denounced partiality in any form, but in James 2:2-4 he specifically mentions preferential treatment of the rich over the poor. He knew such favoritism was devastating not only because it is sinful, but also because the majority of believers in the early church were poor, common people. Discriminating against them would have struck a blow at the very heart of the church!
From its inception the church has upheld the priority of ministering to the poor. Acts 2:44-45 says, "All those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need." Paul organized a relief fund for the needy saints in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-4), and during one severe famine, "in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders" (Acts 11:29-30).
God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, but some of James's readers were dishonoring them (vv. 5-6). That had to stop! We too must honor the poor by treating them with dignity rather than prejudice, and meeting their needs whenever possible. Be alert to those around you whom you might help in some practical way.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask the Lord to keep you sensitive to those around you, and for wisdom to know how to respond to their needs.
For Further Study
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, noting the kinds of people God uses to accomplish His purposes.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
John Macarthur....such an absolute, flaming heretick! Denies the Blood had anything to do with our salvation.....ew, phew, whew!
https://www.christs-disciples.org/the-blood-of-jesus-christ.html
Used to listen to him decades ago. I have zero respect for liars now.
You posted lots of verses about blood, but none showing what you claim MacArthur states.
Can you provide a link for that?
Yes Lord give us the wisdom to support the poor without enabling continued sin. The world takes from one and gives to another without discernment or respect for an individual. We see how that’s turning out.
Caring for the poor is not giving them a free ride and/or enabling them.
Prayer For Justice For The Poor And Helpless
Loving Lord, thank You for the wonderful example of Your life, which was lived in spirit and truth. A life that demonstrated love as well as justice, a life that cared for all humanity, especially those who were weak or hurting or marginalised, or those who were sinking into a pit of despair or poverty.
Be close to all who are feeling the bitter winds of depression and scarcity their lives and uphold them with the warming breath of Your love and grace. Keep us we pray, from making wrong judgements about those that are suffering affliction or who have been overtaken by the challenges of poverty. Give us a wider perspective on life and a heart of compassion and kindness, especially on those that feel alone, unloved or uncared for.
May we become Your eyes and ears and may Your heart of love and grace flow through us to those that are in need. Look down in pity on all who are suffering loss, poverty or unjust discrimination at this time, and we pray that in Your best time Your justice will prevail in each of their lives. Thank You, Lord. We ask this in the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-for-justice-for-the-poor-and-helpless-723
Amen. Too bad that’s been twisted by socialism in America.
??????
I did, and apparently it did not go through. If you search Youtube for “John MacArthur denies Blood of Christ saves”, you will get more links. This is not new with him, either. He will not recant that, either. Went to his church once, decades go. Not sure when he fell off the wagon, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE6JPy75BmE
Thank you.
I ill watch it when I get good internet connections.
You are Not Zucchini.
Blood is not what was nailed
To A Cross, Jesus was.
Also my Sin and Yours,
Yeah, thanks for acknowledging that the Scriptures are correct and you are not. You refuse to be taught.....
....lost like MacArthur, or otherwise.
Jesus shed His BLOOD on that Cross He was nailed to and GOD said that the BLOOD is what saves us, not JUST rthe death. A BLOODY Death. Cover to cover, which you steadfastly refuse to read and acknowledge.
Your Sin, with His BLOOD is not paid for. Nor mine. Show me 500 verses showing that BLOOD is NEVER used in ANY sacrifice, for atonement. Minimum 500, in context, not privately interpreted.
Else, you are rejected, heretick. Enjoy your heresy and hereticks.
(Titus 3:10 [KJV])
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
His, the One Who Shed His BLOOD for me and you,
Bobby Z, “Zucchini”
Prepare for the words;
Depart from Me
I never knew You.
Like Catholics You have turned Blood
Into an IDOL.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.