No respecter of persons

"God is no respecter of persons."

It is a profound statement that really need to understand (I speak for myself also).
Now in our day and age position and prestige are revered and preferred above the regular man.
The kings and the queens, prince and princesses; all the royalties will be given the high esteem.

The same for our education and governments goes. Well of course the scriptures do tell us to respect and give honour those that are in power over the land. The three Hebrew boys in the land of Babylon had respect unto king Nebuchadnezzar, even though he was in the wrong. This is how it is in the world.

The church is to be different. Do we give preference over certain brethren? Do we prefer the well off one's that God has bless financially, or do have an equal love for the brethren?

James 2:1-9 KJV

1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.2  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;3  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:4  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?6  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?7  Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

We can easily fall into this mess. The scriptures say it is  SIN to do this. This shows we in heart love one brethren and hate the other. 

1 John 3:14-18 KJV

14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Originally I wanted to point out something brother Paul had said, and I'm going to.

Paul we know was a faithful apostle, and great preacher, and man willing to suffer all manner of persecution for the church's sake so that they would be spotless at the coming of Christ.

Here's one thing that Paul did not do. He did not exempt himself from the possible wrath of God. He always encouraged that those who are faithful will inherit the Kingdom of God, but those that live in sin will be destroyed in God's wrath.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV

24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

It's a sobering conclusion he makes. Paul could preach all he wanted, healed and evangelized, don't might miracles for thousands and started dozens of churches in his ministry, and all these are good things, but, if he lived a life of sin hidden from everyone else, his efforts to please the Lord, would be in vain.

Are we living in sin? Is it a secret to everyone else, yet we allow it to overtake us. Be forewarned. If we don't overcome it through the grace that has been given to us and justify until we don't see it as a sin, will be cast into the lake of fire, because we didn't wholeheartedly serve God.

2 Peter 2:20-22 KJV

20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Jesus Christ pointed it out in the sermon of the mount.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV

21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Lord Jesus Christ, he will never through a righteous man into destruction only the wicked will go there.
These people did miracles and preached and in the end they won't inherit the righteous's reward. It says MANY. No doubt some of them will be well known and highly esteemed. They could be in your church too or you could be one of them with positions in the church. 

I urge you to examine your heart, your soul, your intentions, everything. Plead for mercy and grace to overcome. The time is short and wickedness abounds.

It may sound harsh to some but it's a hard truth I've accepted. You should too. God uses two methods I realize to save people. He will encourage you as you follow Him and He will chastise you if you seem to veer off the path to turn from Him.

Consider my words as I do the same. May Jesus Christ truly help us.