DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PARTIALITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PARTIALITY

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality." (James 2:1)

Partiality has no place in the life of the Believer. To make distinctions based on ethnicity, education, intelligence, economics, nationality, stature or looks, dress, or any other criterion does not jibe with Christian faith.

James used a concrete illustration of partiality. When they gathered for worship, there were those who came in dressed in rags, and they were told to sit in the corner or on the floor. But those who were dressed to the Nines because they were rich were given the good seats – the place of honor. James said that if you show partiality, you are committing sin, and will be judged (vs. 9).

Partiality goes in several directions. One way is the rich looking down on the poor or uneducated. They think that because they have financial success or a higher education, that anyone who is in a lower economic strata or are not as well educated is inferior. Sometimes, tall people can look down (no pun intended) on us little people.

But it happens the other way also. Poor people can think that rich people must be better if they are more successful. Or we little people can think that tall people must be better. Or us dummies – excuse me! Intellectually challenged -- can be in awe of someone who seems more intelligent. Or, conversely, we can think that rich people are snobs and hypocrites

Here's the fact. We all put our pants on the same way. We all have to brush our teeth. We all have to pay our electric bill. Basically, we are all the same in God's eyes. He sees us as His creation, and He died for all of us.

Our job is to see other people as sinners in need of a savior, and fellow-believers as brothers and sisters. There is no distinction with God. Suppose that Jesus had said, "I will go to earth to save the righteous, the rich, the smart, the successful, the elite, the 'beautiful people'," a lot of us would have been left out. Jesus came and died for everyone. There is no partiality with God and should not be with us.

Love, Dad