We are all equal

This week, I had a long conversation about how all people are equal.  It doesn’t matter how much money someone has or how big their house is or how beautiful they are, they are no better than anyone else.  That is something that we all have to remember.  I know I’ve been star struck before or been really impressed with what someone has accomplished, but God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11) and we shouldn’t be either.  We have to remember that God loves us all the same.  We are to love each other in the same way.   

There are a couple of issues that arise when we see some people as being better than others.  First, we place ourselves in the place of God - judging people based on what they have and what we can see.  We don’t have the ability to judge people in that regard (James 2:3-4).  God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7) and will judge.  No matter what we have or look like, God loves us and give us an opportunity to choose Him.  The things we have here are temporary.  They do not transfer to where we’ll go for eternity.   

Another issue that arises is the thought that our special treatment of those who are better in our minds will result in some positive reward for us.  Will people think more highly of us because we are associated with these people who we consider better off? Will others somehow treat us better because of the way we treat the wealthy or the popular or the beautiful? Will they recognize us because we’re friends with them?  It doesn’t matter.  We are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27) no matter what.  If we are thinking someone is more important or treating someone better than others, we need to check our own motives.  

James makes it clear that it is sin to give any one preferential treatment (James 2:9).  In fact, if we are showing someone favoritism, we will be judged for it (James 2:12).  If we don’t show mercy to those who are less fortunate and recognize that they are equal to those with much, there will be no mercy for us (James 2:13).  No matter what someone has or does strive to treat people equally.  God is watching.