Pride and Prejudice

My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4)

Pride will always manifest in our treatment of those we deem "other." You can tell the truth about a man by how he treats those who are not like him and can do nothing tangible for him. Our treatment of those who may have or know less than us is a deadly accurate test of Christian character, and God will judge us if we judge others. The attitude that pleases God manifests itself in thinking well of "the least of these," and in doing well by serving their needs and honoring their persons. The beauty of the Church of Jesus Christ is that she is not obsessed with herself, her beauty, or her prosperity, but that she is determined to be a blessing to those all around her. 

But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ (Luke 13:27) 

It is to our shame that there is rampant pride and prejudice in the Church of Jesus Christ, and there is often no difference from the world in this matter. But God cannot and will not tolerate partiality in His house, and we are foolish to think otherwise. Rest assured, the Lord knows those who belong to Him and those who pretend. Our religion is to be pure and undefiled, and our love for one another, particularly the least of these, is the clearest sign that God is among us. True fellowship among believers must be impartial and free from judgment. That is what pleases the Lord, and that is when He dwells in our midst.

Let's Pray - Father, prejudice and pride should not have a place in my heart or the heart of the church. Forgive us, and give us the heart of Jesus for others, no matter who they are or what their status. Amen.