Q40. The Lowly

[Pastor Ralph]

Q40. (Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9) Why does Christ’s humility require us to associate those considered lowly? Who are the “lowly” in your community? What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves? What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians?

[Brother Clifford wilson]

Q40(Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9)

!. Why does Christ’s humility require us to associate those considered lowly?  Christ teaching require that we face truths, our associations with others prior to restoration came from early living.  What served us relationship wise was emotional and influenced by how we were raised.  We respected the lowly or face punishment at home.  Christ say the lowly must be treated as equals, we must lend ourselves wholely to our brothers.  Humility begs us this, is not the lowly our brother.  Just as he died for my sins he died for all. We are mirrors of Christ.  

2.Who are the “lowly” in your community? The lowly are those in my community just like I was.  Homeless, clotheless, Drug addicted, emotionally starving for renewed life.

3. What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves?  We are actively seeking organizations to refer for help, we engage others where they are in life to teach about the gospel.  We donate and support them with food and clothing, refer them to agencies to help them, as we pray and wait on the Lord to change them.  Some do come into our church and we embrace them conversing as equals.  The challenge is do not be restful in our engagement, seek them for then are the harvest. 

4. What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians?  The message is, we are here as brother of all.  The message is that we all are immigrants here on earth. If a person is lacking love we love, lacking knowledge we teach, lacking food we feed.  Its all about planting the seed of Christ Jesus and his grace and mercy.  What man has received freely go and give freely. We are here especially for the under served in our community.  

 

[Clelie]

We are all created in the image of God and God loves us  all unconditionally . We are all,sinners and need the Saviour. If Jesus has come on earth in humility to save us, who are we to consider ourselves better than the poor,the homeless and those we consider of low class. Jesus told us to consider everyone rich or poor equal because He came for the whole world. 

The poor, the vagrants, the rejected of the society,and many others are considered lowly.There should be a ministry to integrate the lowly to a dignified position but this will have to be  consolidated further.

Church and Christians should show example of non favoritism in its congregation,  for the world to see Jesus alive among His followers. 

 

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q40. (Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9)

Why does Christ's humility require us to associate those considered lowly?

They are the once that can't help themselves.

Who are the "lowly" in your community?

They are the needy of the need.

What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves?

Serve them.

What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians?

We are all the same in GOD's eye, GOD doesn't have favorites.

[George L]

Q40. (Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9)

1. Why does Christ's humility require us to associate those considered lowly? I was raised on the thumb of Wisconsin, where two crops, cherries and apples abundance was far beyond our populations ability to pick our selves. The migrant workers were our economic salvation. We depended upon their faithful return every year. We of any ‘class’ depend on the whole of the classes, skills, and abilities for unity to have true prosperity. Spiritual prosperity and prosperity in and off the whole population.
2. Who are the "lowly" in your community? Those struggling to come out of drugs, alcohol and other spiritual bondages. The devastation in their lives has them hanging on barely surviving.
3. What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves? Backed by multiple believers who pray our “Wildfire Encounter” tent evangalism and our youth outreach into the two adjacent towns “Kid’s Blast” are attractive to those in need. No ediface of church. A just come as you are atmosphere. And the church members are able to wade out into evangelistic waters as any part of these efforts. Logistics, set up, service, teardrop down. Door keepers onward. Come wade in.
4. What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians? There is no division for those who are”in Christ”.

[hanks]

Q40. (ROMANS 12:16; JAMES 2:1-9) 
Why does Christ's humility require us to associate those considered lowly? Who are the "lowly" in your community? What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves? What message does lack of favouritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians? 
Our Lord Jesus demonstrated and taught us that we should treat all people with respect. I feel we should look upon others as made in the image of God – especially those people who are normally looked down upon - the so called lowly. This may humble us as we may be too proud to mix with them. In my country with its extremes of poverty and riches the people that are sometimes looked down upon are the very poor, the unemployed, those of a different race or culture, the handicapped, sometimes the very young and even the elderly. Yes, we are actively involved in a sister church in a very poor area. I doubt whether the world would notice our lack of favouritism, but I feel that it is quick to notice favouritism or any other wrong in our churches and be extra quick to call us a bunch of hypocrites. Very quick to criticize and pass judgment and slow to give, if at all, any credit due. 
 

[Lisa Wolf]

Q40. (Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9) Why does Christ’s humility require us to associate those considered lowly? Who are the “lowly” in your community? What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves? What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians?

Christ gave us an example is His walk on the earth.  He associated with everyone, including the outcasts. "lowly" in a community are any people that are overlooked.  My husband has a huge heart for older singles 35-65+ in our former church that was our ministry group and in Eastern Europe that was a dear ministry to us in two countries.  Our congregation welcomes everyone who comes in the door. They have built the church to have a HUGE foyer that all can talk and mingle there even during snow. This talking with and welcoming everyone is taught and encouraged.  The message sent to the world is that we love. Romans 12:16a reminds us, "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position." James also reminds us, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”^[a] you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."