Stop Filtering People
Scripture
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? - James 2:1–4 NLT
Devotional
Human nature is quick to sort people into categories. Acceptable. Unacceptable. Safe. Messy. Like us. Not like us.
But the gospel tears down the filters we build. Jesus welcomed people others avoided. He touched lepers. He ate with tax collectors. He spoke with the Samaritan woman. He called fishermen, zealots, doubters, and broken people to follow Him.
Partiality has no place in the kingdom of God. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Everyone comes by grace. Everyone needs mercy. Everyone must be transformed by Jesus.
An unfiltered faith does not mean anything goes. It means anyone can come. It means we do not make people pass through our preferences before they can encounter Christ.
The gospel is already powerful enough. It does not need our prejudice added to it.
Reflection
Are there people you subconsciously filter out or avoid?
What preferences might you be mistaking for spiritual standards?
Ask God to help you see people the way He sees them.
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? - James 2:1–4 NLT
Devotional
Human nature is quick to sort people into categories. Acceptable. Unacceptable. Safe. Messy. Like us. Not like us.
But the gospel tears down the filters we build. Jesus welcomed people others avoided. He touched lepers. He ate with tax collectors. He spoke with the Samaritan woman. He called fishermen, zealots, doubters, and broken people to follow Him.
Partiality has no place in the kingdom of God. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Everyone comes by grace. Everyone needs mercy. Everyone must be transformed by Jesus.
An unfiltered faith does not mean anything goes. It means anyone can come. It means we do not make people pass through our preferences before they can encounter Christ.
The gospel is already powerful enough. It does not need our prejudice added to it.
Reflection
Are there people you subconsciously filter out or avoid?
What preferences might you be mistaking for spiritual standards?
Ask God to help you see people the way He sees them.