Friday, August 24, 2007
James 2:1-4 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 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," have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
DON'T PLAY FAVORITES!
What if Microsoft developer Bill Gates stopped at your place this evening, and flanked by security guards began looking for a place to sit -- while at the same time a haggard, unshaven, homeless person appeared cloaked in a most unsavory body odor. Do you suppose that we would afford both men the same courtesy?
Partiality is showing favor to one person over another upon seeing who he is, whether rich or poor, famous or common.
Notice that we are told nothing about either man, save his outward appearance. If our decision were based solely upon the outward appearance of each man, which of us would choose the stinky homeless man over Bill Gates?
If we did, we would be practicing blatant favoritism. We would be showing ourselves to be like a contemptible judge who chooses not to hear the facts of the case but decides it based upon who he judges the defendant to be upon first glance. Is that just, fair, impartial? No!
It is the human way to be impressed with the external appearance, to be impressed with wealth and power. But our Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons. He is not swayed by gold or fine clothing, nor is he dissuaded by shabby clothing. He judges the heart, and He is always fair, always righteous, and always just to EVERYONE. He doesn't play favorites and neither should we -- and yet we do. We sin.
Thank God that He didn't choose to redeem those who could pay, those who were rich or blessed with good looks! God didn't choose to redeem us based upon our goodness. God chose, of His undeserved love, to make us rich through faith in Jesus Christ. God chose to show mercy to us and forgive on the basis of Christ's sacrifice.
So when tempted to play favorites, remember God doesn't. He is fair to all, and we are to be unbiased followers of Christ.
This we strive to do with the Spirit's power, remembering that God's mercy led Him to choose us, according to His grace, that we might serve Him in gladness all our days.
