Posted April 28, 2024

Humble origins and oppression have been familiar across all racial, credo, social and economic statuses. Side by side comparisons of life as people knew it in past generations would surely reveal more similarities than differences in how families provided for, kept, and loved their families. Doing laundry by hand with washboards; preparing meals from a few rows of vegetables or fruit from a tree or bush; yard birds that chased you, then became a meal of chicken bog. The common denominator was the heart that the head of the families had for providing for and protecting what is precious to them. They were thankful. Humble origins, oppression and modest means, bear no influence on our DIGNITY.

Dignity is evidence of our innate worth in God, who made us in His image. Dignity is more than appearances or titles or our circumstances. The Gospel of Matthew 7:12, “Do for others what you would want them to do for you (GNT)” is called the Golden Rule; it is our Gold Standard teaching for “treating everybody right”. In James 2:1-4, he goes further into the lesson of the Golden Rule. These verses begin, “....how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?” Remember, James is the writer who questioned the "good" of sending someone away, who is in need, while saying “I’ll pray for you” but doing nothing for their needs (v.15-16).

Scripturesavvy.com [/bible-verses-about-dignity] commentary discusses this passage further. James does not waiver in condemning anything that shows favoritism or discrimination against others, particularly anything based on external appearance or worldly possessions. In this scripture, James specifically hints at gatherings of believers. One who dresses poorly should receive the same attention, the same “good seat”, as the one dressed in fancy clothes wearing expensive jewelry. Any act less than this, James says, is not guided by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

James’ teachings in Chapter 2 remind us we are “called” to love all people, to turn away from biases and public opinions that undermine any person’s dignity. Otherwise we may make them targets for harm, cause them to be easily swayed by those who claim a “like” kinship that is not always based on truth or the commandment to Love thy Neighbor. The need to be loved and accepted “just as you are” isn't limited by social, racial or economic status. Too often the very people seeking to be in places of leadership, to make decisions on our behalf, pit people against people instead, for self-serving agendas, motives and gain. James says about this, “Haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are [leaders] who can’t be trusted? (v.4)”

Dignity is what gives us power to live among each other, with the Golden Rule as our guide. We have an Enemy who is always out to steal, kill, and destroy our peace and regard for one another. We are not exempt from tricks to sell out our dignity or to be ingrained with thoughts and actions that prejudice us to belittle someone else’s dignity.

Putting the Golden Rule in practice acknowledges the dignity of all people. Don’t give away the power that comes with understanding your dignity. It is not for sale or barter (non-negotiable). “Treat everyone you meet with dignity” (1 Peter 2:17) The scriptures discussed this month are always timely lessons about Love.