In the epistle of James, chapter 1, verses 26 and 27 we find:
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not
his tongue, but decieveth his own heart, this man's religion is
vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
In chapter 2, verse 1-4, the Apostle says, under the inspiration
of the Spirit of God, "My brethren, have not the faith of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory, with respect of persons,
for if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in
goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile rai-
ment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clo-
thing and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say
unto the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in your selves, and are become judges
of evil thoughts?
Vs. 10,For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all."
I believe Scripture teaches we must give due respect to those
who have authority over us, such as elected governmental and
law enforcement officials, but at the same time give no less
respect to those whom we consider equals or with less autho-
rity or status. We must consider all men and women, as equals
according to our constitution as well as the Scriptural injunc-
tion. And, if we are careful about obeying that injunction we
would actually "prefer others to ourselves..." as in Romans 12:
10, "Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another." or in 1 Timothy 5: 21...
"...observe these things without preferring one before another,
doing nothing by partiality." Are there questions for discus-
sion?
II Timothy 3: 16-17, "All Scripdture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Note: The word "perfect" here could have been rendered as
"complete" or "mature."
donporter,sr. edited on 9.211.17
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not
his tongue, but decieveth his own heart, this man's religion is
vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
In chapter 2, verse 1-4, the Apostle says, under the inspiration
of the Spirit of God, "My brethren, have not the faith of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the God of glory, with respect of persons,
for if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in
goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile rai-
ment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clo-
thing and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say
unto the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in your selves, and are become judges
of evil thoughts?
Vs. 10,For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all."
I believe Scripture teaches we must give due respect to those
who have authority over us, such as elected governmental and
law enforcement officials, but at the same time give no less
respect to those whom we consider equals or with less autho-
rity or status. We must consider all men and women, as equals
according to our constitution as well as the Scriptural injunc-
tion. And, if we are careful about obeying that injunction we
would actually "prefer others to ourselves..." as in Romans 12:
10, "Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another." or in 1 Timothy 5: 21...
"...observe these things without preferring one before another,
doing nothing by partiality." Are there questions for discus-
sion?
II Timothy 3: 16-17, "All Scripdture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be
perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Note: The word "perfect" here could have been rendered as
"complete" or "mature."
donporter,sr. edited on 9.211.17
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