Favoritism. It's difficult to discuss this subject because so many people get offended by it. People just don't like hearing about something that they may be doing wrong. You can call "favoritism" by its other names: "prejudice, and partiality;" but it doesn't make it any easier to digest.
James 2:1-4 brings this topic to the forefront in bright, vivid color. How easy it is for us to write people off for inconsequential reasons. Here's a short list of some for your consideration: lifestyle, racial background, lack of education, or a certain level of income, political affiliations, type of music they listen to, lack of hair or teeth, etc.
I think you can see how easily we can digress into nonsensical reasons that really have no eternal value. We can become so blinded by our own pride (a topic for another day) that we fail to see the real truth, the only truth. Every one of us is created in God's image for His glory; and are either with Him, or against Him. Simple as that.
When we practice favoritism, we ignore any eternal considerations and substitute them with our own self-centered, self-serving standards. "I like them, or I don't like them," "I like what they can do for me, or I don't" becomes the norm. What makes this line of thinking so hard to take is that God is totally impartial, And, because of this, we are morally obligated to be impartial!
Labels that we place upon others are only valid in this world! These are non-issues in God's eyes. If anyone had the right to look down on others it would be God. I wouldn't blame Him one bit if He stood right in front of us and said, "You aren't good enough for me!" But, He wouldn't do that; though there are innumerable reasons for Him to do so.
Albert Einstein once said, "I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university." I think that's pretty good advice. Each of us struggles with favoritism to one degree or another. That's just the way we are. It's a struggle that we just have to deal with. However, it doesn't have to control our lives.
In the Old Testament, when God established Israel's government system, He prohibited its judges from reaching decisions that were established on favoritism. In fact, He set up some ground rules such as forbidding them not to: accept bribes from the wealthy, and ruling in favor of the poor on the basis of them being poor. Instead, He desired that they carefully weighed the merits of their cases (Leviticus 19:15).
As you can see, since God rejects any type of favoritism, Israel was to follow His example. Likewise, we as believers today are encouraged to follow His example. Our personal attitudes of favoritism, partiality, and prejudice violate the glory of our faith in Him. The plain truth is, it's just not compatible with what God desires from us.
We simply cannot be obedient to our faith in God and indulge in selfish and sinful acts of favoritism. It just doesn't work! Besides, it goes against everything that Jesus taught and exemplified. Excluding others who, for whatever reason, don't measure up is this world's way of thinking.
Honor God and your faith by treating all with love, kindness, and respect. When God created man, He did so without any favoritism. We were all created in His image (Genesis 1:27). Keep that in mind the next time you find yourself leaning towards feelings of partiality in your daily life.
Scripture: Romans 2:11; Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:27-28
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me treat everyone that I encounter with the same respect and equality that You would. We are all the same in Your eyes; no one better than the other; as it should be. Amen
God bless you,
Cherise
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