Partiality: The Subtle Sin

In the book of James are many warnings of pitfalls to avoid and appeals to make right choices in living the Christian life.  One of the most poignant of these has to do with favoritism, especially among believers.  Very bluntly, he writes, “…if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9 ESV).

He illustrates in this passage a clear example of how this might happen in our worship gatherings:  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and 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," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  (James 2:2-4 ESV)

At first glance it might seem that this is an easy one to recognize and avoid.  But, we might not face very often such a contrasting scenario and should consider more subtle situations, which might occur at any time.  For example, whenever you have the opportunity to meet or reach out to new people who come into your church, to which types are you naturally drawn, the attractive couple, the stylishly dressed lady, or the bright looking young guy?  Or, do you consciously opt for an older person, someone of a different ethnic background, or a person with out-of-style clothing?  Do you give equal attention to all regardless of their apparent station in life?

When we look at Jesus’ ministry, we see that He spent most of His time with poor and lower class people.  Those He chose as His disciples were unlearned men, not wealthy, well educated or highly respected teachers or public leaders.  Though on a few occasions He spoke to those in this category, few, if any, followed Him openly.  As Peter would say later when He began to preach, “…I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:34 NASB).  Similarly, God told the prophet Samuel, “…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1Samuel 16:7 ESV).

When I was managing several groups of people at work, I remember the Lord convicting my heart about whether I was showing as much interest in the lowest graded workers in my organization as our high paid technicians and supervisors.  Was I lacking concern about the welfare of those at the bottom of the pay scale compared to the rest, and failing to ensure that they had opportunities for advancement?  Did I respect them as persons the same as the others, demonstrating genuine interest in them personally, greeting them, asking about their families, etc.?  Or, was I showing partiality to those who were more like me and whose well-being would help my organization to run better and, hence, would make me look better?

To show more favor to one type of person over another is to judge one as having more worth than another or to be more deserving of God’s grace than another.  But, Jesus died for all and His grace is extended to all who will receive it.  It is God’s prerogative to show mercy to whomever He will, and He has chosen to offer it to the whole world.

Showing partiality in any form, then, whether within the family of believers or outside, is to break His “royal law” to love our neighbors as ourselves and requires our confession and repentance.  May God grant us the grace to do so and to receive His cleansing.  (1John 1:9)