Partiality – James 2:9

But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Let us search our hearts and ask ourselves how we respond to the poor or broken seeking to join our fellowship.  Do we hold them in the same high regard as we do the successful, wealthy, and accomplished?  Do their love and dedication to the Lord and commitment to others qualify them for high positions in our congregation and comfortable places among our circle of friends?  Do our hearts go out to them if their spirits are broken, and do we comfort them if they are sorrowing? 

We should, for who are we to feel superior or indifferent to any person when the Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome King of the universe, shows no partiality, loving and receiving orphans, singles, widows, and aliens as His honored friends?[1]  In the light of so great a magnanimity, encompassed by so unfailing a witness of unprejudiced love, we dare not slight another. 

By God’s grace, may we, His holy and appointed body of believers, comprehend His teaching against showing distinction in our treatment of people and against keeping socio-economic scales.  May we apply His teaching by treating each person who would seek our fellowship with the same respect and level of esteem.  In God’s mercy, may He enable us to understand that showing preference because of wealth, position, public recognition, marital status, or talent is not good, rather it is sin.[2] May He allow us to comprehend that pursuing the wealthy over the impoverished, the “perfect” over the “broken,” is dishonoring to the name of Christ.[3]

As our Father in heaven shows no partiality,[4] we should show no partiality.[5]  Rather we should love others as Christ loves us, judging not according to the world’s definition of success, but rather concerning ourselves with honoring Christ through the honor we extend to others.  Since Christ loves the poor as the rich, the unaccomplished as the accomplished, the weak as the strong, surely, we should love without bias or selfish motivation.

Out of your desire to emulate Christ, search your heart and look over the list of your companions and frequent guests.  If you see a pattern of partiality, throw away the list and extend your circle.  Consider Christ’s unconditional love for you, which takes no account of your deficiencies, and ask Him to show you how to love others as He loves you.

I had no eyes to see the pain
On my wounded neighbor’s part
For I turned my thoughts to other things
Than his lacerated heart

And my heart was cold to the weak and poor
As I sought not out their type
To participate in my circle
Geared for people more alike

My knowledge grew as I studied,
My spirit growing wise and stout
With ears turned deaf to wounded’s cries,
I politely closed them out

Then the Spirit stirred, and I felt the pull,
And my soul grew chilled, distressed
For all my seeming righteousness,
The Lord was clearly not impressed

And He made me weak, and He took my wealth
I stood outcast and poor,
But I saw things far, far differently
Than I ever had before

From my tears grew understanding
That by grace He’d brought me low
To teach me of His compassion
And of a love He died to show

Though I tasted cool rejection
And found acceptance hard to win,
I was not alone and knew no lack
For there was One who took me in

Then my chastised heart was able
To bring comfort to another
For in God’s grace, He showed me love
So that I might love my brother

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[1] Deuteronomy 10:17-18

[2] Proverbs 28:20-21

[3] James 2:1-8

[4] Ephesians 6:9

[5] 1 Timothy 5:21