“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”  (James 3:9-10, NIV)

When I read today’s scripture, I think of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, who famously wrote these words for Linus: “I love mankind. . . It’s PEOPLE I can’t stand!!”

Yet, “people” bear God’s image and likeness — the same image and likeness imprinted within each one of us.

When tempted to curse others, do you see a reflection of yourself; do you see the image and likeness of our Lord and Father?  To see others (and ourselves) as God sees is the antidote for unkind words, and judgmental attitudes.  – Luther

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“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1, NIV)

There is nothing more natural than choosing favorites.

However, as disciples of Jesus, we are to take our natural life and — through obedience to God — create a spiritual reality.

The reality referred to in today’s scripture verse is a reality where persons are not evaluated and elevated by the clothes they are wearing.

Persons who are obedient to spiritual laws have chosen to live in a spiritual reality.  This does not mean being ignorant of natural preferences.  It does mean being scrupulously obedient to God when He requires that our natural choices reflect a spiritual perspective.

Beware of preferring others by how they are dressed.  Kings can dress like paupers; and paupers like kings.  – Luther

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Thanksgiving Day

“. . . give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)

There is a small, but helpfully significant, difference between giving thanks in all circumstances; and giving thanks for all circumstances.

There are situations and circumstances for which you and I should never be thankful: War, disease, marital discord, gross economic inequality, the persistence of evil. . .  Yet, even in such circumstances, the disciple of Jesus is encouraged to be thankful — and it baffles the watching world.

In war, we know the Prince of Peace.  In sickness, we are attended by the Great Physician. He is our Reconciler; and through your and my obedience, he feeds the poor.  Evil may, for a time, persist; but evil shall never prevail!

True thanksgiving welcomes every season.  – Luther

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