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 of evil thoughts?

James: 2 1-4

How does belief behave in relation to other people?  The writer of the Book of James concerns himself with the practical application of ‘the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.’  As he does, he challenges his readers regarding their treatment of others.  In the passage before us, he speaks specifically to the matter of our regard for the social status of others based upon their appearance.  He declares that our treatment of others should not vary based upon their social status.  Christ was the premier example of how to treat people equitably.  He ‘went about doing good,’ and presented Himself in the world as a construction worker.  This meant that the religious and political elite disregarded Him until His words and deeds became so influential among the common people that they could not ignore Him.  Christ went out of His way to minster to the marginalized.  He sought out the woman at the well, the maniac of Gadara, and the man at the pool of Bethesda.  One was a social outcast; the other two were, in turn, a mental outcast and a physical outcast.  Christ treated these people with goodness, grace, and help.  Thus, we learn from Him how to treat others regardless of their social status. 

Our Gracious and Master our God,
we rejoice that You have condescended to us in our low estate.
We praise You that You have ministered to us where we are,
in order to raise us up to where You are.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning