My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. [James 2:1 (TEV)]

Oh Lord, thank you for pleasantly surprising me when people’s behavior has contradicted what I expected from their appearance. I think of the young man with spiked hair in skateboard attire (and his wife, with her piercings, crazy outfits and multi-colored hair) who minister to troubled youth; the tattooed young woman who joins in that ministry; the frail elderly man who builds houses for Habitat; the intimidating woman who surprised me with her gentle voice and loving spirit when she reached out her hand in friendship; the wealthy retired executive who stocks shelves at the food pantry and the unemployed day laborer who works with him; the multi-pierced woman with purple hair who counsels unwed mothers; the devout Arab Muslim who is a patriotic American; the teen in the gangster attire who is part of the music ministry; the motorcyclist who faithfully attends church every Sunday; and the list goes on.

Forgive me when I unfairly judge someone merely on their appearance, be it their race, sex, attire, the music they listen to, the car they drive, the job they have, or even the dog they are walking! Stereotyping and prejudice have no place in your kingdom. I expect people to give me the benefit of the doubt when they meet me; guide me, Lord, so I give them the same courtesy.

You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. [James 2:8-9 (TEV)]