Say, is not this lovely?

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

James 1:9-10,
"The poor brother ought to glory in his high position.
 But the one who is rich should glory in his low position . . ."

Great and rich believers, along with lowly and poor believers—are all one in Christ, and are equal with each other!

Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female—for you are all one in Christ Jesus!"

Colossians 3:11, "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free—but Christ is all, and is in all!"

The same confessions of sin, however humiliating they may be—proceed equally from the hearts of all.

The same petitions for grace, for mercy, for strength—are asked by all.

The same devout gratitude for spiritual blessings—is poured forth by all.

The Word is pronounced with the same authority to all, and entire submission to it is required from them all.

The same exceedingly great and precious promises—are guaranteed to them all.

The same priceless inheritance is reserved in Heaven for all—who by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, receive and obey the Gospel.

View both rich and poor believers, sitting down together at the table of the Lord—as guests equally invited, and equally accepted by the great Master of the feast!
  All eating of the same bread;
  all drinking of the same cup;
  all receiving into their souls, the same divine blessings.

Say, is not this lovely? Is it not a true picture of Heaven itself, where the poor beggar Lazarus, whose sores the dogs once licked, because he had not a friend to bind them up—now sits down with all the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Yes! Thus it is in the Church below. The rich and the poor meet together, for the Lord is . . .
  the Redeemer of them all,
  the Father of them all,
  the Friend of them all,
  the portion of them all!

In Christ's church on earth, both poor and rich—are all in a measure . . .
  poor in spirit,
  mournful over their sinfulness,
  meek and humble,
  hungering and thirsting for righteousness,
  merciful,
  pure in heart,
  holy and Christly!

In the body of Christ, there is no place for despising the poor, or envying the rich—as the same honor and blessedness belong to all!

Romans 12:5 "So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others!"