Favoritism tested . . .

 

Partiality tests come in numerous ways. James gave this as one example:

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1–4)

Jesus, the Lord of glory was not partial. Even though He is “the Word (who) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14) and “in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9) the Pharisees knew. They “sent their disciples to him,  “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.” (Matthew 22:16)

Jesus told parables that also revealed His impartial attitude. In one, He spoke of a wedding where those invited did not show up so the father of the groom told his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” They went out and gathered “both bad and good.” (Matthew 22:1–14)

I tend to be partial to those who obviously love Jesus and don’t enjoy the company of those wrapped up in themselves. They remind me of how my own short-comings concerning ‘me, myself, and I’ can easily be a favorite topic, yet whatever the reason for favoritism, God keeps telling me to be impartial, to be interested in everyone and kind, no matter who they are or how they behave.

Yesterday our church hosted the funeral of a man who once attended the church we once attended. Many came from that former church, some of prominent in leadership and some who showed up only now and then. It seemed important to meet and greet all of them, plus the strangers, and including our friends and the leaders in our church who conducted the service. After several hours of visiting with everyone, fatigue hit, but also a sense of having done what God wanted — no favoritism or impartiality.

James illustrated being impartial regarding what people were wearing. That happens in church. Yesterday there were men in shorts and men in suits, women in jeans and women in dresses. One pushed a walker. Some wore masks. Some sang the hymns, others did not. I did notice that I wanted to talk longer with those who praised the Lord but that didn’t seem like being partial so much as wanting a bright and transparent spot in a sea of people who were wearing polite funeral faces.

PRAY: Lord Jesus, thank You for being impartial and granting Your people that same grace. I note that You also called sin for what it is in the lives of the Pharisees and other religious people who rejected You. We still have “respected, religious leaders” who were threatened by Your humble, meek and powerful manner, much like those of Your day. Reaching out to others with no favoritism does not mean acceptance of their sinful behavior or that of anyone else. You never patted people on the head and told them they were okay when they were not. Being like You is a challenge in that You reached out to all but still called a spade a spade. How I need You to show me how to live!

PONDER: Matthew 22:1-14 describes the kingdom of heaven and likens God to a king whose son was going to be married. How does this parable show impartiality yet also shows God’s attitude toward sin?