Review and Re-Center Around God
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture,
“Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted
by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the
whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty
of breaking all of it.
~ James, brother of Jesus
The royal law, as James calls it, is all about loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. With a singular focus on favoritism today, let's dig in.
Review the Week
Do I love certain people more readily and others less readily?
Do I treat certain people better than others based on the way they treat me?
Have I fallen into a sinful habit or attitude of treating people differently based on the color of skin, age, or level of education?
Do I look down (or up) on certain people because of the amount of money they have, the job they hold, or the place they come from?
Repent (if necessary)
Determine whether you need to confess to the God who does not play favorites that you fall into the trap of playing favorites. Repent if necessary and make a conscious choice to treat people the same… and that does not mean treating all people poorly; it means treating all people lovingly and with mercy.
Return (as necessary)
Return with a prayer of thanksgiving that God does not play favorites, as the Apostle Peter learned (see Acts 10). Then resolve to act as your Heavenly Father does, extending grace and favor to people equally. This will have you looking like the royal heir that you are!
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:89-96 (Lahmed, 12th letter)
- Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens. - Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures. - Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you. - If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction. - I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life. - Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts. - The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes. - To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
2 Timothy 1:13-14
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you— guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Luke 11:28
[Jesus] replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Who first taught you the precepts of God?
How are learning them now?
To whom are you teaching them, how are you passing on the Word of God?
Consider these four categories:
- People who taught me (past)
- People I’ve taught (past)
- People teaching me (present)
- People I’m teaching (present)
If either of the "present" categories are empty for you, then what can you do to change that?