One Body

I was reading yesterday in James,  chapter two. James was hammering away at the different levels that existed in the church. This is the same James that is the brother of Jesus. This is much debated especially by Catholics for obvious reasons. Some have called him the half brother, others adelphostheos, brother of God. Archeological note; A find in the last few years of the burial box called an ossuary from the first century has appeared on the unproven antiques market marked "James, the son of Joseph, brother of Jesus". We do not have the bones but we may have the box. In any event James was writing to the churches in chapter two about division in the services, if not the fellowship. This occurred when preference was given to one segment of the body. Evidently they were seating and recognizing the rich and "important" people and ignoring the poorer more invisible people. This is by most everyones account an administrative error. It is the type of error we allow today in our fellowship when an important person announces that "everyone can not be invited, but no one should have their feelings hurt". It is always announced to be sure by someone who is invited. Or we have these seats saved for important persons less important are further back. It is how our society of red carpeted attendees operate. I grew up in the South where country clubs proliferated the landscape. They were especially populated by persons of preferred treatment. Their off springs were the Greek fraternities and sororities that begin and still exist in the High Schools. Yes they exist not just in the colleges, but in the High Schools. I know I was a president of such a High School frat. It seems James had his sights set on this type of socialization. It is anti community. James as you may remember was the bishop of Jerusalem. The same city who had experienced the much envied fellowship (church if you must) of Acts 2. The fellowship where no one had a need. Imagine being in a church (not a small one at that) where no one was feeling a need. The important people weren't feeling the need to sit someplace special and the administrators, we may call them presbyters, did not feel the need to over look anyone that may be feeling a need. Wow. I want to be in that church! Unfortunately,  James saw that church reach a point where the widows were being neglected. Well not all widows were feeling that, just a certain group, a sect, well an ethnic group. James saw his wonderful fellowship develop needs that were being ignored. Maybe they did not have room at the tables. I am sure there was a good reason. Thank God it was pointed out and the problem was corrected. But often it is not pointed out and if it is, it is excused.  Peter was found eating with his ethnic group and ignoring the others less rich in Judaism. What if Paul had not pointed that out?  When someone stands up and states to the family of God that there is no room to invite everyone maybe someone needs to point out a solution so no one feels left out. Telling them not to feel left out is not the solution. Peter could have told Paul "they shouldn't feel left out! Why have they not included themselves!" Again Thank God that was not the response. May be a solution could be to invite everyone and ask for volunteers not to come, especially from those rich in position. Or maybe someone should get a bigger place. Or have the church celebrate in the sanctuary. What should never happen is that the eye say to the foot we have no need of you. Telling the congregants that there is no room and not to feel left out is the same thing. Asking those of lessor maturity to have more than those saying it, is presumptuous and the thing James was screaming at. Those who are the living stones of the building should not be asked to not be apart of the very building they are giving their lives to create. James 2:1 NIV," My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism." Or as the Greek best puts it, "My brothers, do not hold in favoritism the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory".  James uses the word e“cete  meaning a command, the present active imperative of echo. We are commanded not to show and excuse favoritism.