Playing Favorites

Do you play favorites? 

The cross of Jesus Christ is the great equalizer. To fully understand the cross, we must understand the value God places on each human being. The cross is the place where God sent His Son to die for you. The cross is ALSO the place where God sent His Son to die for that person who is challenging to your patience. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” This includes the people that challenge our patience. Remember, the church is not full of hypocrites; there is always room for more. The ground is level at the cross.

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” James 2:1

Notice the way James describes Jesus in that verse. James says that Jesus is the “Lord of glory.” James is no longer the skeptical sibling, and his message is “show no partiality.” Favoritism was accepted in most ancient societies and is in many cultures today. But James says, STOP IT! Just STOP IT!

God doesn’t show favoritism, and neither should we.

Romans 2:11 says, “For God shows no partiality.” Love is right, and favoritism is a sin. Treating people this way can flow from prejudice or bias we may have. No matter what fuels favoritism, James says our faith should free us from favoritism.

Kathleen Peterson tells about a Chicago bank that once asked for a letter of recommendation on a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowed. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and other of Boston’s first families. His recommendation was given without hesitation. Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work.”

“Neither is God a respecter of persons but accepts those from every family, nation, and race who fear Him and work for His kingdom.” Acts 10:34-35