Thoughts on James 2:1-7

¹ My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. ² For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, ³ and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” ⁴ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? ⁷ Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? 

Today, I was blessed to met three Major League Baseball Players from Unlimited Potential: Cal Eldred, Bryan Hickerson, and Terry Evans. They came to Hawaii to speak with my Soldiers about their faith in Christ. What was awesome is that they desired to know more about the Soldiers lives and goals than talking about themselves. 

Terry Evans

Some of the Soldiers and officers knew these players from watching them on TV or even attending one of their baseball clinics as a teenager. Cal Eldred took the time to speak with a Soldier about his time at a clinic, where he grew up, what he did in the military and yes the Soldier wanted to talk baseball.  All three got the opportunity to speak about their experiences in the majors, trails they have faced in their careers. Each one spoke about how they loved the game, but understood that the opportunities they have received were for more than just playing the game. They have the chance to glorify God, Who blessed them with their talent. They have the ability to share about how Christ taught them there was more to life than baseball and how to encourage their team mates in times of struggle.

James in this passage is speaking to us as Christians in how we treat those who are not of the faith or not from a prestigious background. When we treat certain people better than we treat others, we are dishonoring God. When the world props up hollywood stars, athletes, wealthy people, doctors, pastors, mentors, etc...over other people, because of who they are. We destroy the value of communion with God and our fellowman. We are not to treat people differently, because of who they are, but we are to treat all people with respect and the love God shows us.



The players today were treated well by the Soldiers and the players were thankful for the time and opportunity to meet some of our nation's finest. They felt blessed to meet and share in the lives of these Soldiers who provide the protection and freedom of our way and life. If you are a Christian remember to treat every person with the same respect as you would treat a close friend for Christ died for all not for some.

Pray with me: O Lord there have been times that I have treated certain people better than others. There have been times that I have looked down on those who are less fortunate. Please forgive me and teach me to treat every person I meet with respect, compassion, and the love you have shown me. Amen...

Thoughts on James 1:26-27

²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.


Have you ever met someone that puts up a front or an act. To your face they act like they are your friends , but behind your back they say things about you or look down upon you. The hypocrisy today in the church is growing. People of faith that take the view of pity over compassion, position over communion, or charity verses responsibility distort real faith and show that religion is a man made idea. Their actions and words are not pure in motive, but destructive to the faith. Faith is not religion and religion is not faith.

Pure and undefiled religion is living out the faith as Jesus taught us to do. Pure undefiled faith is not practiced out of pity. But real faith is poured out from God, though His people, upon those who are in need of His grace. Real faith is not worried about your position in the community but is building communion within the community. Last charity verses responsibility is providing for them that which offers hope that God the Father loves them, sent His Son to purifying them, and provided the Holy Spirit to comfort them. It is time for the church to bridle its tongue from high lofty speech and start purifying it's actions. For this is how to show an unstained faith in a fallen world.

Pray with me: O Lord help me to show compassion for those in need. Guide me to establish a communion within my community. Teach me to be responsible with that which you have given to me to bless those in need. Amen...