Conforming to the image of Christ

James 1:1-5- 1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

· One of the things that lets us know we are conforming to the image of Christ is when we can look at people and not value one “type” of person more than another.

· The temptation for the church has always been to give preference to those who have it all together- “wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,” and such. This is a form of worldiness- thinking and acting like the world and not Christ.

· But the Word of God teaches us that we are to not to do this. We are to value equally the “poor man in shabby clothes.” In fact, the Bible tells us plainly that many of the early believers were from the wrong side of the tracks. “Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith.”

· Let's pray to receive the heart of God so that we will see people as He sees them. God values the soul of every person. As we love people, God will send all “types.” Let’s not have a preference.

This is so true. I even see this happening in my own church. That is why I sometimes have doughts about staying in it. But I keep praying and the message from God is still the same stay and wait. He has even given me some dreams about the church that have come true. So I bite my tongue and wait.