8 Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in Scripture, love your neighbor as yourself, you will be doing well.

9 If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

            There’s an old saying, “He (or she) puts his pants on the same way we do: one leg at a time.” This means everyone is the same. We’re all human. No one is greater than another. The only one who walked this earth and truly was greater than the rest was Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.

            Yes, there are people with more money, seemingly greater talents, and far more attractive but that does not make them better than anyone else. Unfortunately, in this world, people with money, beauty and certain talents (like music, acting or athleticism) tend to be held to a higher rank. Some are even exalted as gods, idols. Dare I say, “American Idols.”

            God doesn’t see them that way, and neither should we. They are people just like us. God has no favorites. They should be treated with the same respect we treat the cashier at the grocery store or the attendant at the gas station. We should love them as we love ourselves.

            If you struggle with that last command, love yourself, take it to God. He loves you and created you just the way he wanted you. He gifted you with talents and abilities and wooed you to him. You were the joy set before him when he endured the cross. He wants you for all eternity because you are his treasure. If you are not familiar with who he created in you, ask him to introduce you. Ask him to see yourself through his eyes. Love yourself as he does and share that love with others. Equally.