The Chosen...The Book of James Bible Series

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Hello again, Sweet Readers! We are back with another installment in our Book of James Bible Series and today we are diving right into James Chapter 2, verses 5-7! 

I managed to stay on track even while on vacation so let's see if we can keep this going!

Let's go!  We'll start with JAMES 2:5-7 in The Passion Translation Bible:

"So listen carefully, my dear brothers and sisters, hasn’t God chosen the poor in the world’s eyes to be those who are rich in faith? And won’t they be the heirs of the kingdom-realm he promised to those who love him? But yet you insult and shun the poor in your efforts to impress the rich! Isn’t it the wealthy who exploit you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the very ones who blaspheme the beautiful name of the One you now belong to?" (The Passion Translation)

I think I have mentioned this before --but I so hope Y'all are watching The Chosen. It's so good!  This verse asks a question about who the chosen are. Of course, we know Jesus was THE Chosen One... and also - we are all grafted in and He has chosen each one of us to be His!  But here, James suggests that God has chosen the poor in the world's eyes to be those who are rich in faith... and who will be heirs of the Kingdom He promised to those who love him!

I love how the Passion points out that it is not just the poor --but the poor in the world's eyes. This isn't limited to the poor who are struggling with finances - but anyone the world would think of as poor or lacking. (This broadens things a bit!)  

Are We Judges Who Can’t Be Trusted? ...The Book of James Bible Series

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I really had intentions of writing other posts this year... (in addition to this Series, that is!) However, so far anyway... I'm only managing to sit in this chair to write about every two weeks!  Today, we're back for another installment in our Book of James Bible Series and we are kicking off Chapter Two!

We jump in to Chapter Two today beginning with JAMES 2:1-4! 

As usual, let's begin with The Passion Translation Bible:

"My dear brothers and sisters, fellow believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ—how could we say that we have faith in him and yet we favor one group of people above another? Suppose an influential man comes into your worship meeting wearing gold rings and expensive clothing, and also a homeless man in shabby clothes comes in. If you show special attention to the rich man in expensive clothes and say, “Here’s a seat of honor for you right up front!” but you turn and say to the poor beggar dressed in rags, “You can stand over here,” or “Sit over there on the floor in the back,” then you’ve demonstrated gross prejudice among yourselves and used evil standards of judgment!" (The Passion Translation)

I know!? You can't really say I didn't warn you ahead of time! James calls it like he sees it --or maybe, more like how HE sees it! Jesus and James, man... they're not gonna let us slide, guys! They are FOR us and they want the best for us... they want the best to flow to us and through us and -oh my goodness- how favoritism just gets in the way! 

And here's the deal: We are all guilty of it.  We all do it. 

You may be shaking your head and disagreeing with me passionately because -- ugh.... rich people!  You see... one way or another... one 'class' or --dare I even say it?-- race or gender or belief... ends up being treated as better or favored or more important than another with us humans! 

And here's the other deal: We all know it's wrong! 
Thankfully, we can also know that even though WE may do it... 
HE never does!