James 2:1 ” My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”

Last night our small group Bible study had quite a lively discussion on discrimination within the Church.  We tend to be most comfortable at Church when everyone looks and acts like us.   Our prejudice surfaces when someone outside that “mold” ventures into the Sanctuary seeking the Lord.  Yes, they may not look like you…they may not have the same values or mores…but they are still a Child of God searching for the truth.  We need to extend to them the same love that Jesus did…not judging,  but supporting and encouraging as the Holy Spirit moves in their life.

Proverbs 24: 23 ” These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good…”

In Leviticus 19:15 it states, ” Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”  We tend to have our own very personal  prejudices and biases…comfortable preferences that have been ingrained in us  by our culture, family, and past experiences.  But that doesn’t mean they are fair or just.   All our decisions must be based on God’s decrees and Laws, rather than our feelings.