Classified

It bothers me that passengers on an airplane are separated due to classification.  When boarding begins, an announcement is given for all 1st class, frequent, and preferred flyers to board the plane first.  What I hear is, "All who have the most money to purchase a higher-priced ticket offering a wider seat in the front of the plane, with better food and drink privileges, separate yourself from the rest of the passengers beginning...now." Not only do these privileged passengers board first and have requests granted immediately, but the remaining population of the same aircraft are forced to squeeze past them and make our humble way to the other side of the curtain further back in the plane.  The tolerant grins from some, avoidance of others to look up, and pompous gaze from the remaining in this section express their classification.

I do not feel that all 1st class passengers are arrogant and view others as less important.  I'm not preaching against the luxury (upgrade) of flying.  However, I do feel that we all get caught up in a system created by society that deems all people are classified by the amount of wealth they possess.  Of course this is nothing new.  Since sin came into the world, there has been and always will be separation of people based on cultural status.

It is recorded in Acts 10:34 that Peter once said, "I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."  You think?  If anyone should know, it should be Peter.  He, like me, and like many of you wouldn't be on the "preferred" list.  Yet, God's love is extended never the less.  That word respecter comes from the Greek word, prosōpolēmptēs, meaning one who discriminates or shows partiality.  Society shares a much different view of people. We are all classified.  The only two classifications with God are the saved and unsaved.  The treatment of either is the same because of His love.  Those of us saved by grace obtain the mentality of the 1st class passengers while viewing those yet unsaved as 2nd class passengers.  What gives us that right?  We are all traveling together.  God makes the announcement for all to board with no respecter of persons.

My thought was to let the 1st class passengers on the plane board first, but place them in the back of the plane.  This way, they don't have to be appalled at coach members and we don't have to walk the aisle of shame past the first few rows.  That's my carnality at its best.  I'm thankful God doesn't think in that same manner.