February 25, 2002
Discrimination in the Churches
My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If 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,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, 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? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? James 2:1-7 (NIV)
Think first of John the Baptist when you read this passage. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. He wore clothes made of camel hair and he at locusts. He was not in the mainstream of the church. In fact, he would have been considered by many to be eccentric to say the least. Now, think of what he might have been like in this day in age. What would he have worn and where would he be speaking? He might have been on a street corner, wearing rags that most of us would have thrown in the trash. He might be found in the ghettos. One thing we do know, he would not be preaching in the churches in a suit. This is the man that was chosen of God to announce the coming of the Messiah, the Chosen One who would take away the sins of the world?
Now, let’s consider Jesus and how he appeared. He was a carpenter who owned nothing of his own. His hands were worn and battered from his trade. He did not have fine garments or a fine house. He had no money. He relied on the support of those around him. Jesus did not meet the requirements of those religious leaders of the day. I find myself thinking if he were to come this day in the flesh, what he would be. Could it be he would be classified as a homeless bum? Jesus was a carpenter. When is the last time you saw a real carpenter? He would have sawdust in his hair. His clothes would most likely not be real neat. In fact, they might be covered in paint, sawdust, sweat, and dirt. Carpenters don’t always smell great. Now what if a carpenter entered your church, dirty, smelly, and not dressed right? How would people look at him as he walked across the carpet, dropping sawdust as he went? What if this carpenter walked to the pulpit, saying he had a message from God?
Wait! This man does not have a seminary degree. He is not licensed to preach. He is not ordained by man and given the authority to preach the word. What if someone wearing a tow sack, the modern day equivalent of camel hair, came into your church saying that Jesus is coming? How would the people look at him? What would their reaction be? Would they listen or would someone help both of these down from the pulpit and maybe call the law to have the carted off to the looney bin? And what of those people who are with them: An ex-prostitute, an IRS official, fishermen who still have on them the smell of fish, cowboys who smell of cow manure, or some such things as this? They should not be here. They smell the place up. They surely don’t know a thing about God and what He expects from us.
And yet, we are told these very people are the type that God uses. I am telling you that God is, this day, calling those who are outcasts of society at large to bring a word to the believers. Look, here they come. They have been with the Lord on a regular basis. They know what he desires from his people. They speak truth in the name of Jesus. But, they do not look like you think they should look. They come from out of the wilderness to tell you what the Lord is saying. They are homemakers, cowboys, homeless, the rejects of society and they don’t dress right. Most don’t have degrees from seminaries, yet they have degrees from the Lord. They have not been schooled in the seminaries, yet they have been schooled of the Lord. Are you one of those whom the Lord is calling out? Are you one of the rejects of society who is truly seeking his face? Do not fear. The true believers will not reject you based on your dress or your looks. We, the believers, must use discernment in these last days. We must learn who is and is not called of God. If you are called of God, step out in faith. Those whom he has prepared will hear what you have to say. Those who hear his voice, who are called by his name, will know you!
Church, quit judging people by the way they dress, the way they speak, if it is “proper English” or not, or whether they have a seminary degree. Now, this does not mean to take all who come and speak without discernment. However, look to those who are not in the mainstream to know what God desires of you. God uses those who love him, who are not afraid to be different, and who seek his face. Come! Let us seek the face of God! Let us hear this word he has for the present day church.
Father, forgive us that we look down on those who are unschooled, yet have been in your presence and have heard what you are saying. Lord, there are many, this day, that you have called into the wilderness to hear your voice. Father, just like Moses, Elijah, John and so many others, they are called out, set apart and truly willing to serve you. Lord, it is your time for these voices to be heard. In Jesus name, let us not hinder your work or your word. Father, I want to hear you! I want to know you so that you say I am a man after your own heart. Lord, in Jesus name let me be bold in speaking truth. Father, send the Holy Spirit upon our churches. Bring to life what is dead. Remove the world and the world values from our places of worship. Lord, you are gathering your saints together in this last day. You are pouring out your spirit upon your people. Increase our discernment that we not miss your word or follow false teachings, in Jesus name, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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