Do you favor some people over others? We, the people, have taken this culture of partiality and favoritism to a new level that tolerates and promotes iniquity. We must destroy this cultural phenomenon that is growing outside God’s will. Be smart and allow the fear of the Lord to come upon you. 2 Chronicles 19:7 tells us that the Lord wants us to judge fairly because God hates injustice, partiality, and bribery.
God does not condone favoritism. Nowhere in the Bible does God say it is okay to show disrespect or take bribes? Bias has no place in the body of the Lord. If there is any place where there should not be discrimination, it should be the mind of those who claim Christ. “Do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism” (James 2:1, NASB). Do you truly understand that God does not show favoritism, as the Apostle Peter understood (Acts 10:34). If you understand, then you know that God is not partial to kings and queens, nor does he favor the rich over the poor. The “Haves” and the “Have Nots” are human classes.
The Lord makes no distinction between them and us. Scripture teaches us to listen to the small and great and not be intimidated by anyone who thinks more highly of themselves than they should. Do not be like those in the current ruling generation whose ignorance has driven them to copy the behavior of this world. “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world” (1 Cor. 1:20, NIV)? Paul’s generation suffered the same challenges. We know this because Paul said: “None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8). What should I say then? Humans have been up against this challenge of playing favorites for a long time.
Regardless of the challenge, we must continue to strive to be like Jesus. Our Father, the Creator of all things, does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving us time to study His word and get it right. God is patient, giving us time to come to the knowledge of the truth. The study of God’s Word begins in the home. Then it is taken to the church, where we help each other grow in knowledge and wisdom. God is faithful and will always “defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalms 82:3, NIV).
Brothers and sisters, God is not partial! Where are the wise men of this age? If the ruling generation understood the will of God, the Access Hollywood Tape would not exist because those involved would fear the Lord and act accordingly. If they understood God’s will, leaders would not take bribes because they know God hates corruptive behavior. Be fair, and do not play favorites.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
