The leader in church everyone loves, he's funny, he's cute and we'll name him Andrew. He's got great people skills, and an amazing singing voice. He shops in Hollister and he likes to flirt a little bit - in short, he's everyone's favourite guy. But his heart? Jesus sees that his heart isn't for him, his heart wants approval from other people and not from Jesus. He cares more about material goods than earthly treasures. Away from church he swears and drinks. In short, he's not really a Christian.
The poor guy on the street sits outside church. Everyone ignores him, too righteous to be talking to a tramp. He's got holes in his clothes and he hasn't had a shower to a place to sleep in weeks. He barely manages to find enough money for the day's food and often has to go to bed hungry. In short, he's everyone's worst nightmare. But his heart? Jesus sees his heart is for him, he prays all the time and trusts God that he will get him through the day. If he has any leftover money, he'll give it to charity although he's the one who needs it. He fully trusts and loves Jesus with all his heart. In short, he's the real Christian.
James 2: 1-6
1 My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, never think some people are more important than others.2 Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.3 You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes and say, "Please, sit here in this good seat." But you say to the poor person, "Stand over there," or, "Sit on the floor by my feet."4 What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, and with evil thoughts you are deciding that one person is better.
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith and to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him.6 But you show no respect to the poor. The rich are always trying to control your lives. They are the ones who take you to court.
Would you guess the church leader wasn't really a Christian? No, what you saw of him would be that he was one. Would you guess the tramp was a Christian? No, you'd look at his outward appearance. Luckily God doesn't do this, he looks at our ♥ to see our real spiritual state.
I don't really know where I'm going with this.
Okay, so in short, don't judge people, because you will be judged too. Treat people with the same respect and remember:
Outward appearance ≠ Inward appearance
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