No Favoritism Allowed
For there is no partiality with God.
Romans 2:11
It is a sin for a Christian to show favoritism to people. That is, he should not be prejudiced for or against another person simply based on position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance.
The clearest, most practical New Testament teaching on impartiality is in James’ letter to believers:
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For 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, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes…have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?…but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors (Jam 2:1-4, 9).
If God never plays favorites, shouldn’t you strive for the same virtuous character, “doing nothing with partiality” (1 Tim 5:21)?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 224). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Showing partiality and predjudice is sin. We are all created in God's image, so when we discriminate against another person, we are in effect discriminating against God. We make ourselves judges when we show partiality, but only God is truly fit to judge. Love all your neighbors equally as Christ commanded.
Applications: Remember that we are all guilty and unworthy before God. Do not judge others by showing partiality. Treat all believers as brothers and sisters in Christ, as immediate family members.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for humility, so I would not think of myself as better than others. Pray for a heart to fellowship with all the members of the body of Christ, equally.
Listen to this entry
Romans 2:11
It is a sin for a Christian to show favoritism to people. That is, he should not be prejudiced for or against another person simply based on position, wealth, influence, popularity, or appearance.
The clearest, most practical New Testament teaching on impartiality is in James’ letter to believers:
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For 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, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes…have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?…but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors (Jam 2:1-4, 9).
If God never plays favorites, shouldn’t you strive for the same virtuous character, “doing nothing with partiality” (1 Tim 5:21)?
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 224). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Showing partiality and predjudice is sin. We are all created in God's image, so when we discriminate against another person, we are in effect discriminating against God. We make ourselves judges when we show partiality, but only God is truly fit to judge. Love all your neighbors equally as Christ commanded.
Applications: Remember that we are all guilty and unworthy before God. Do not judge others by showing partiality. Treat all believers as brothers and sisters in Christ, as immediate family members.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for humility, so I would not think of myself as better than others. Pray for a heart to fellowship with all the members of the body of Christ, equally.
Listen to this entry
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