Proverbs 28:21. To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
Very simply put, to show partiality is not good. Why? Because God does not show partiality.
Romans 2:11. For there is no partiality with God.
God is just and fair. God doesn’t do things because we make promises to him, or offer him something like a piece of bread. Yes, people will do unethical things for something small like bread. But what could we possibly offer to God that would make him go against his own character and do something unjust or unfair? Nothing!
Of course, we are not God. We are sinful and so we do show partiality all the time. The context in Proverbs 28 is leadership. Leaders must never be partial, treating people differently based on how much we like them (or don’t like them). In the ancient world, partiality within a spoils system was a given (to the victor belongs the spoils). But God tells his people to choose leadership and give position to those who are both godly and qualified, not those who offer you the biggest bribe.
What about in our everyday lives? What about in our church lives? Do you have people that you show partiality to? That you treat better than others because of what they can do for you? Of course, it’s OK to have people that you know better than others, or to have close friends that you enjoy being around, but it is not OK to show partiality. To treat others differently simply because you assign higher value to them.
In his epistle, James condemns partiality, again, based on our faith in Christ.
James 2:1-4. 1My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3and 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,” 4have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
This is truly one of the most difficult commands of God to obey. Who among us wouldn’t show partiality to a celebrity athlete, politician, or theologian if they began attending our church. Who among us doesn’t already tend to ignore the “shabbier” congregants at church. Do you have homeless people in your church? Disabled? Special needs? Do you treat them the same way you treat your friends?
James says that holding the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is the cure for showing partiality. Why does he say it this way? What is the faith? This is his way of saying the gospel. Only faith in the gospel can begin to dissolve partiality in our hearts. As we begin to see just how low we were before Christ and how high he has taken us through his union with us, not because of any value added that we bring, but simply because he is gracious and kind, that is when the fleshly impulses of partiality will be replaced with the Spirit’s genuine love for all. As we worship this Christ as King, raising him higher and higher in our affections, we will lower ourselves beneath not only Jesus, but all who Jesus has also died to save.
You: In what ways do you show partiality (please don’t say you don’t)?
You in Christ: How does remembering your position before Christ help to melt away partiality in your heart?
Christ in you: Think about James 2:1-4. How can Christ in you keep you from treating others this way?
Pray: Father, you always give me, and all your children your best. Help me to treat others the same way and give them my best as well without partiality. Amen.
To Live is Christ 