February 9, 2021

Exclusivity

February 9, 2021

DAILY READING

James 2:1-13

Psalm 119:9-16

FIELD NOTES

“…have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” – James 2:4 (NRSV)

I am a person that is constantly making distinctions and judgements. Most of the time, this is a helpful thing—“Has this milk gone bad?”; “Should I eat this candy bar or go to the gym?”; “What’s the best way to handle this situation?”

God has given us all the ability to make judgments, most of which are happening sub-consciously all the time to help us live the most fruitful and meaningful lives possible. But like all God given gifts, I also have the tendency to misuse what God intended for my good.

It’s obvious from James’s letter that this misuse of a God given gift was happening in the early Church community as well. One of the remarkable things about the early Christian church was that it was one of the only organizations in the world at that time that practiced radical hospitality—all were welcome to come and experience the grace and love of God through Christ Jesus. But even for those in the first congregations, the temptation towards judgment, distinctions, and exclusions were also great.

James reminds us in this passage, that God is constantly in the business of subverting our distinctions. “Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith…?” he asks. Won’t those that have nothing inherit everything? 

I’m thankful that God has given me good sense, but I’m also aware that I am in constant need of God’s sense—the ability to see the world with a Kingdom perspective. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

  • How has God subverted your expectations recently?
  • Is there a situation in your life in which you might need to try and see things from God’s perspective and not just your own?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

  • What’s the difference between making a good judgment and making a bad judgment? How can we tell the difference?

PRAYER GUIDE

God, you are constantly revealing your grace to us in ways we least expect. Open our eyes and hearts to experience the world with your wonder—help us to see the image of love in every person we meet today. Through Christ we pray, Amen.