The Great Escape

2  My brothers and sisters, you are believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.  So treat everyone the same. Because we have put our faith in Jesus as Lord,  James is commanding us to treat everyone the same.   2  Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes.  And suppose a poor man in dirty old clothes also comes in.  3  Would you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes?  Would you say, “Here’s a good seat for you”?  Would you say to the poor man, “You stand there”?  Or “Sit on the floor by my feet”?  4  If you would, aren’t you treating some people better than others?  If we treat the poor differently than the rich, we are breaking a command of God.  Aren’t you like judges who have evil thoughts? If you aren't treating the rich and the poor alike,  you are exposing yourself as having an evil motive by your behavior.  Y...

1 I, James, am writing this letter.  I serve God and the Lord Jesus Christ. We all serve someone or something.  We can serve people and things that drain the life out of us,  or Christ who loves and gave Himself for us.  I am sending this letter to you, the 12 tribes scattered among the nations. The Jewish believers in Jesus were persecuted after the murder of Stephen for his faith(Acts 8),  and they fled throughout the ancient world to save their lives.  At the time of this letter, this was before the none Jewish people had been told about Jesus. Therefore, there were only Jewish Christians at this time.   Hence, James called them the 12 tribes (of Israel).   Greetings. 2 My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble.  When you do, think of it as pure joy.  These Jewish believers left their families, friends, and homes behind to follow Christ. We are not promised...