Through the Eyes of Jesus

A passage from Micah chapter 6 can shape our attitude concerning responding to God and to others:
6 With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

If we are walking humbly, we are submitting ourselves to the will of God, and desiring to serve others - with mercy and compassion, not excluding people from being recipients of ministry because of their social position, appearance, or beliefs.   We win the hearts of people because of the way we display the love of Christ - if we see others through His eyes and strive to be merciful, we are fulfilling His desires and reflecting His character, lifting up Jesus so that others might be drawn to Him.

We can be challenged in our approach to people and guard against being exclusionary as Christians because of a number of factors, including appearance, or image.   James 2 speaks powerfully to what our attitude should be: 
(2) if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Today the world of retail and fashion provides some thoughts for us about that topic.  I remember back in 2003, I did a series of interviews alerting parents to a certain retailer that uses large photographs of semi-clothed young men and women to sell clothing; a retailer that for a number of years published a quarterly magazine which was described as "soft core" porn.  

The store manager of a Virginia Beach location was actually arrested for violating the city's obscenity code - the charges were later dropped because city officials did not feel they could prove in court that the posters appealed to prurient interests, were patently offensive to the prevailing standards of the adult community and had no serious artistic value.

So, it really comes as no surprise that Abercrombie and Fitch is under fire again - and this time it could do more damage to an already suspect image, and reverse what has recently been a surging bottom line.   A report on the Business Insider website from a couple of weeks ago made the claim that company CEO Mike Jeffries "...doesn't want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people...He doesn't want his core customers to see people who aren't as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they're one of the 'cool kids.'"

Writer Robin Lewis cited a 2006 interview with Salon, where  Jeffries himself said that his business was built around sex appeal.

“It’s almost everything. That’s why we hire good-looking people in our stores. Because good-looking people attract other good-looking people, and we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that."   Abercrombie and Fitch doesn't stock XL or XXL clothing in its stores, and Jeffries is quoted as saying that they are marketing to the "cool kids".

The comments have been widely reported, and the company CEO has attempted an apology, using the words "diversity" and "inclusion", even though that company has faced discrimination charges in its hiring practices.   He said they are "completely opposed to any discrimination, bullying, derogatory characterizations or other anti-social behavior based on race, gender, body type or other individual characteristics."

Probably too late - there's a new viral video that has already racked up millions and millions of views - now it does blend some snarkiness and is not what you would call, "family-friendly", but filmmaker Greg Karber has a point.   He is shown going to thrift stores, buying A and F clothing, and distributing the items to homeless people.   It conveys a powerful image about the perils of exclusion.

And, incidentially, if you're looking for a fashion retailer that promotes Scripture - look no further than Forever 21, which uses the reference John 3:16 on its distinctive bags.   That verse reminds us that God loved the - world - all the world!

As believers, we should are not called to be exclusive - all are welcome at the foot of the cross.   Jesus died for all!  We have to be careful that we are welcoming and that we do not place unreasonable expectations on people to behave or dress a certain way or belong to some socio-economic category.   Scripture teaches against looking down on people because they fit into what we believe is a less desirable demographic.

Jesus loves all people, and I'm reminded of some song lyrics from a particular singer who happens to be a Christian, who is your 2013 American Idol, Candice Glover:
He says I am beautiful
And when I fall
It don’t matter that I’m not perfect
I am beautiful
I’m not alone
And in his eyes I’m so worth it
I’m worth every tear
And every scar
And even when you say I’m not
He says I’m beautiful.

I'm interpreting the "He" here as being Jesus - or at least someone who can see through His eyes.   That's a key in relating to and ministering to others - see them through the eyes of Jesus, who gave His life for everyone.