Resources/Articles
My Heart of Partiality
2 Timothy 3.17 says the scriptures make “man complete unto every good work.” There are a number of ways this can be accomplished, but one particular area is the Christian’s ability to avoid partiality.
Have you ever judged one person with more severity than another? Do you speak to some people but not to others? Does it matter to you if a person is black or white? Would you be in favor of withdrawing from an unfaithful Christian regardless of their financial status? Which means more to you: The conversion of a doctor or the conversion of a bricklayer? What is God’s truth on the matter?
James 2.1-13 gives a practical illustration of how some become guilty of partiality: “For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing; and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, ‘Sit thou here in a good place;’ and ye say to the poor man, ‘Stand thou there, or sit under my footstool” (vv. 2-3). Which one of these men described above would you sit next to in a worship assembly? Do you exalt wealth above character? Style and luxury above humility and zeal? To make ourselves complete, we will allow God to judge the man and avoid making such judgments with evil thoughts (v. 4). We should remember God chose all to have the opportunity to be rich in faith. It is apparent some fail to learn such a lesson. Preachers will show partiality by not preaching boldly against a particular sin because it might offend someone. Brethren form small cliques or groups, young and old, causing the m to avoid association with other members. Do not be guilty of dishonoring a brother because of your partiality toward another!
How can we make ourselves complete regarding partiality? We must first remember God chose those who are rich in faith and who love Him as heirs of the kingdom (v. 5). He must then have as an objective to fulfill the royal law, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (v. 8). PARTIALITY (or favoritism) is just as sinful as murder or adultery. To err in one point is to become guilty of all. The law is like a piece of glass: Break one portion of the glass and you have broken the whole thing.
Believe in the principle of how to treat one another: “For judgment is without mercy to him that showery no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment” v. 13). Judgments should be fair without partiality. If we anticipate justice from God, we must show it ourselves (Matthew 5.7). In Christ, we are brethren. Let us treat each other than way. Fulfill the royal law. Let the Lord Jesus Christ be honored among all.
