Equity
Good Morning,
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. James speaks of an honest and equitable love for all men, regardless of circumstances. I am so thankful for our church! I watch the homeless treated well, the rougher folks welcomed with open arms, and the educable slow adult treated with dignity and patience — that is a church pleasing to the Lord.
James 2:4 “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
vs. 9 “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
Not to treat all men with dignity and love is such a sin, an exaltation of self, and a manifestation of pride. How lovingly God has treated us despite our perverseness! We ought to respect and regard all men.
Other passages echo the same truth:
Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
When God spoke to ISRAEL about their treatment of others, He mentioned their partiality. Men were treating one group well but treating another group unkindly. God judged the people for this and held them in contempt.
Malachi 2:9 “Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.”
Arguing with the prophet, the children of Israel claimed innocence:
vs. 10 “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us?”
But the issue was their treatment of one another...
Verse 10 continues, “…why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?”
To God, dealing treacherously against one another is a major issue.
This mistreatment of one another brought about a disregard in the heart of God. God simply did not notice their tears or their offerings.
vs. 13 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”
God wants us to be good to each other. God wants the poor treated properly. God wants the widow and the fatherless to be cared for and loved. God promises judgment on those who oppress the widow and the fatherless or those who do not pay the worker his wages.
Malachi 3:5 “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.”
James 2:9 “...But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin…"
We need to be careful to love the brethren — all of them, with equity. Loving all men is right, but "... especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
When we walk into the door of the church, all men ought to matter, to be honored, and to be respected.
Pastor