James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ!  (James Chapter 2)

Diversity Training

 "(1)My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. (2)Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. (3)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," (4)have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Diversity,surely you have heard all about it, right? I mean after all it only seems right to accept people as they are, and I for one am happy that we live in a very diverse culture, where we are being taught to get along with one another, rather than miss treat people simply because of their race, color, creed or religion and any other differences we may have. Tolerance is in big demand today. Each of us is expected to tolerate any life style, no matter how offensive it may be to our way of life. And after all, we do have to share this world with about 6 billion people, so to expect everyone to be like us is just simply ridiculous.

Well, having stated all the above, I love this lesson Pastor James wrote about 2000 years ago concerning diversity, and or, tolerance. Perhaps we in the church should do what corporations do now days, have diversity training. Pastor James taught this lesson to the church, I would think, because he thought it was needed. I agree, today it is still needed. The fact is, many churches don't open the door to everyone who walks in. Not everyone gets treated exactly the same way. We tend to expect people who may not even be Christians, to some how look and behave as though they are. And how do we as Christians behave? I know that I have many faults and it would be very hypocritical of me to expect perfection and a cookie cutter look from everyone who comes to my church. I would like to think that our real strength is in our differences and to try shaping everyone so they look, act and speak alike would be to rob the synergy of its power. We need diversity training today in the church and in our lives, in our neighborhoods, in our social life, in the clubs or organizations that we are involved in. When someone finds out that you are a Christian, I would hope that they would view you as someone who loves and accepts everyone the way they are, you know what I mean, just like Jesus does. I am so happy that on the day that I reached out to take this wonderful free gift of salvation that Jesus provided for me, He didn't stop me at the door and say to me, sorry but you're different, you don't dress or behave the way my people do, no we can't accept you as you are, you'll have to come back when you change to look and talk the way we do around here. No, Jesus died for my sins, the ugly is what He specializes in. Jesus loves us just as we are and wants us to do our best to accept the differences we see in others and love them the way He loves them. Diversity in the Church, its always been policy, so start training today!