Friday, September 20, 2013
James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
GOD'S LACK OF FAVORITISM WORKS IN YOUR FAVOR
This word "partiality" is found three other times in Scripture. In all of those cases it is God's lack of partiality or favoritism that is being underscored. In two of those three occasions the lack of partiality has to do with His treatment of sin. In Romans 2, He emphasizes that whether Jew or Gentile, whether people had been given the Law or not, all are guilty of sin.
This equal treatment under the Law has slipped away in our American society. We're not used to that way of thinking anymore. Rather, it's easy to believe that a person's guilt or innocence has to do with connections more than facts. But we'd better get our mind right when it comes to God's lack of favoritism in connection with His commandments. You will not go to heaven because you got off on a technicality. You will not get to heaven based on your last name or because you are on the books at some congregation. There is no partiality with God.
The reason that you are going to heaven is not because you have the right connections on earth, but because you are connected to Christ. God doesn't overlook your sin because you're a nice guy. That sin had to be paid for. Just as the Law of God applies to all, so does His love apply to all. Jesus died for everybody. The sins of all, regardless of race or any other dividing feature that we can come up with, are paid for. That is a great comfort because there are numerous reasons why anybody could be excluded. But draw confidence in the fact that your sins are paid for. Christ died for you and he loves you. No conditions. No exceptions. Through faith His righteousness becomes yours. Through faith His forgiveness belongs to you as well.
