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honoring one another

James 2:1-4 (JDV)

James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
James 2:2 For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in,
James 2:3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,”
James 2:4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

honoring one another

James is talking about discriminating against the poor, and there is plenty of that evident in today’s fellowships. The broader principle is that we should treat all believers equally. History shows that we often fail in that regard as well. It is human nature to look upon the outward appearance. But we are challenged to reflect the divine nature, which looks upon the heart.

A person dressed shabbily may not necessarily have a poor spiritual life. We don’t know what is inside. We should honor one another as brothers and sisters, and nor pre-judge anyone. He has accepted us all, and we should accept one another for his sake.