The Sin of Partiality
I am afraid not many believers know and understand the beginning of James 2. The sin of partiality is widely unknown, or people disregard what the Scripture says about not being partial. Either way, there is a huge problem, because we are commanded not to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with partiality. (James 2:1,9,10) Please, consider this plea for all Christians to abstain from this serious sin.
When we are partial to one type of people, we give preference to them. The key is that we elevate them over other types of people. In effect, we end up being prejudiced against the others. We decide in advance that we favor one type over another. God never does that. He always judges each individual on his or her merits, and He always looks at the heart, not at any outward characteristics. Therefore, God is never partial to one group and prejudiced against others. When we choose to go against the Lord's way, it is sin.
James speaks of being partial toward rich people and thus, treating poor people badly. We could say the same thing about preferring the people of one race or religion, so that we treat the people of other races and religions worse than we treat those we prefer. When we are prejudiced this way, and we sin, we are guilty of breaking the whole law of God. That means even if we were to keep everything else in the Bible perfectly, we would be as guilty of breaking God's laws, as a murderer or an adulterer. A sin is a sin, and God hates the sin of partiality.
Jesus loved the whole world, so He came in love to save all categories of people. If we are to be like Jesus, which is His purpose for all believers, we will love all people equally like He does. Please, search your heart, and if you find the sin of partiality, repent of it, and ask the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you of it, so you can begin to be loving to all like Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read James 3-5.
When we are partial to one type of people, we give preference to them. The key is that we elevate them over other types of people. In effect, we end up being prejudiced against the others. We decide in advance that we favor one type over another. God never does that. He always judges each individual on his or her merits, and He always looks at the heart, not at any outward characteristics. Therefore, God is never partial to one group and prejudiced against others. When we choose to go against the Lord's way, it is sin.
James speaks of being partial toward rich people and thus, treating poor people badly. We could say the same thing about preferring the people of one race or religion, so that we treat the people of other races and religions worse than we treat those we prefer. When we are prejudiced this way, and we sin, we are guilty of breaking the whole law of God. That means even if we were to keep everything else in the Bible perfectly, we would be as guilty of breaking God's laws, as a murderer or an adulterer. A sin is a sin, and God hates the sin of partiality.
Jesus loved the whole world, so He came in love to save all categories of people. If we are to be like Jesus, which is His purpose for all believers, we will love all people equally like He does. Please, search your heart, and if you find the sin of partiality, repent of it, and ask the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you of it, so you can begin to be loving to all like Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read James 3-5.