Partiality is something that God condemns. However, we treat it as acceptable. Grandmothers are teased about being partial to one grandchild over another. Teachers tend to have “teacher’s pets.” These would be those they show partiality to. Partiality shows favoritism or even prejudice to one person over another. Some show this because of a person’s status in the community. If they are held in high esteem, they may feel it would benefit them in some of their endeavors. If the person is wealthy, some will go out of their way to please them. Some people feel good about themselves because they are in the company of a famous person. This action of showing partiality goes on every day, all around us, but God does not approve of it. God is not partial, and He deems partiality as a sin.
God shows us He is not partial in His plan for mankind. He created us in His image, and He loves us all the same. When Adam and Eve sinned, He did not condemn Eve and let Adam off the hook because she sinned first. Both were held responsible, and both were offered redemption. In John 3:16, we see that God offered salvation to everyone in the same way. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse teaches us that everyone in the world has been offered the same eternal life, the same way. God did not say some could gain it by working or supporting the causes of Christ. He gave so that all could receive.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, God makes it clear that you can not work for your salvation. If we could, there would be some who could attain and some who could not. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
In Romans 2:1, Paul says, “For there is no respect of persons with God.” The word respect in this verse means partiality. He loves all the same. His Son died for all, and all will stand before the Just God one day. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be seen through the righteousness of Christ. Those who do not will be condemned to Hell. No one escapes standing before Him.
In James 2:1-13, we have an account where James teaches us that favoring one person over another is a sin. In verses 1-4, James teaches us not to show respect based on outward appearance. We are not to give those who seem to be wealthy, prominent people a good seat and leave the poor standing. He continues to make his case in verse 9. If we act this way, we have sinned.
James 2:1-4 “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
James 2:9 “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
If we treat people differently because of their financial status or their appearance, we are sinning. I can only imagine how those who are treated as less than human must feel toward the church that is not inviting to them or seeking them out. We are wrong to treat people differently. The law of love that God set forth when He sent His Son to die in our place. In I John 4:7-11, we are given these instructions. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knows God. He that loveth not knows not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
I can not say it any better than what God says. To show partiality is wrong. It is against all that God demonstrated to us with His own love for us. In the economy of God, none of us measures up to His standards. Wealth, education, or a noble heritage do not impress Him. His love is exhibited to all, and He longs to have a relationship with everyone.
While Jesus walked the earth, He exhibited this character trait. He went to the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4, whom no respectable person would have anything to do with. He healed the nobleman’s son in that same chapter, and the leper in Luke chapter 7. In Luke chapter 4, He cast demons from a man, and healed a Roman Centurion’s servant in Luke chapter 7. These are only a few of the instances where we see Jesus’ compassion and love for all people. He does not discriminate or show partiality.
Today, you may need to rethink the way you treat others. Are you willing to show love to the homeless just like you do to those who are your family or people of status? Do you get out of your comfort zone to speak to others at church or social gatherings? What measuring stick do you use to determine who you will show love to?
