CLASS DISTINCTIONS have been with us throughout every cycle of human civilization. Caste systems, ethnic biases, rich versus poor, whatever the points of division are, humans have somehow continually found a way to select who receives favor, and who is disenfranchised and voiceless against prejudice.
Then came Jesus, God’s own son, and the poor became rich, down became up, and out became in. He taught and exemplified a completely different set of values, with new interpretations of social and moral codes and an emphasis on being rather than doing as impetus for our actions. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” he says, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) No longer is wealth in this world a sign of God’s favor; treasures in heaven are more to be desired than worldly wealth, and not having wealth in this life is no bar to a good life and joy. “Blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are those the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are those who are persecuted.” (Matt. 5:4-10) Despite all these lower-status conditions experienced by the oppressed in this world, they are in a favorable position with God, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:10b) The kingdom of heaven not only favors such people in the life to come, it is a present kingdom that such people may enter now. Jesus began the present kingdom of heaven during his earthly ministry, and it is found represented in the true church of Jesus Christ that he entrusted to his apostles through his death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father.
The true church of Jesus is made up of the body of believers in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind, come to bear upon himself the sins of all who receive him, and to give the gift of the Holy Spirit. Independent of denominations and doctrines, as helpful or harmful as these may be, the true church worships “in Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) And in the true church all are equally favored, and divisions promoting one class of people, one race of people, one language of people, or individuals of some worldly prominence over others is not a core value of the church; it is prohibited, for all have become equal at the foot of the cross.
And so James says, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1) He gives the example of a division in the community of faith if a rich man is shown special privilege while a poor man is ignored and set aside, and questions the values that this shows in opposition to Jesus’ teaching. “Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:4) Moses taught, “Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike.” (Deut. 1:12) But Jesus clarifies, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24) Therefore, James says, “If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” (James 2:9) Always practical and applicational, James admonishes, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13) Though we should require no such castigation, we are nevertheless warned.
But there is more. Using Paul’s words, “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature” (1 Cor. 2:6), there are some further considerations we are wise to ponder about human nature in general, and our own in particular. However diligent we may be in engaging with our own spiritual development, all of us are subject to the invisibility of some of our own biases—in the common vernacular, we have blind spots. The favoritism spoken of earlier gives egregious and blatant examples of ways in which we may create divisions in the body of Christ. All of us start somewhere in the process of becoming like Jesus, and one of our goals is to become disciplined followers of his teaching. In this process, we are first mentored, and later, hopefully, become mentors. We become disciples who make disciples with the goal that they also make disciples. (cf. Matt. 28:18:20)
There is a danger of becoming too wise in our own eyes, and think that we no longer need mentors, and perhaps even develop a sense of entitlement that frees us from accountability. Two pieces of advice come from the apostles to help guide us in these matters. The first is from Paul, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12) This is a warning against our unseen biases that cause dis-ease in the body of Jesus. If we are spiritually sensitive, if our hearts have not become hardened and blinded by sin, we should be aware of a sense of concern when something is off-putting in our behavior towards others. So from James comes an application useful in calling us to and remaining in accountability. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
The church of Jesus Christ is comprised of those who are called out of the world culture and into the kingdom of heaven. Everyone is different, everyone is imperfect, and yet everyone has the same Lord. Each of us is responsible for being peacemakers in the church. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matt. 5:9) We have all become children of one Father, and each of is a very key factor in whether the local family of faith is functional or dysfunctional.
Q. Am I a peacemaker in the family?
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