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Showing partiality to someone due to factors which are spiritually irrelevant is sinful! This is the essence of James 2.1-4. Lest someone think that such a sin is relatively minor, James explained that the sin of partiality was as grave as any other sin (see James 2.5-11). In fact, in this very context, he said, “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2.10).

But what does it mean to show partiality? James answers this question by a straightforward example; here it is: “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, 'You sit here in a good place,' and say to the poor man, 'You stand there,' or, 'Sit here at my footstool,' have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2.2-4).

Question: Where does partiality start? The answer is revealed right in the context. Partiality begins in the heart with the thought processes. After all, the heart is the center of thought and emotion in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Matthew 15.18-19). Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts. But James says if you show respect of persons (partial), then you are become a judge with evil thoughts! Put Jesus’ teachings and James’ teachings together, and the answer is clear; partiality is a sin that originates in the heart.

There have been untold millions of dollars spent by governments to eliminate racial discrimination (one, but only one, form of partiality. However, these efforts overlook the fact that partiality can only be eliminated when the hearts of men are changed; when men realize that every human being is of equal worth in the sight of God! After all, it was God who made us, who shows us how to live, and who will judge us. Shouldn’t He be the one to declare our worth as a human being? If God says that all men are of equal worth, who are we to argue? The plain, but sometimes ignored fact is this, partiality is not a social disease; it is not a disease of ignorance which can be eliminated by education. Partiality is a deliberate sin that originates from a heart devoted in some respect to sin!

To successfully attack the problem of partiality without addressing the heart is like trying to attack pneumonia using Kleenex; you may keep your nose clean, but the disease rages on! Here is an awesome truth that I believe is absolutely scriptural. Had Jesus known that I would be the only person who would ever render obedience to His gospel, He still would have gone to the Cross just for me. That is a love which is incomprehensible! But, I must ask myself, what is so special about me that Jesus would have shed His blood for me alone? And honesty must answer back; there is nothing so special about me that would move Him to die only for me. In fact, had He known that you [insert your name here] would have been the only person who would ever obey His gospel, He would have died just for you. Now insert anybody’s name in the blank; the answer is the same! All men are of equal worth in the sight of God!

We will continue this series, but it is a series that builds on each previous message. Please do yourself an eternal favor by considering the entirety of this series as it relates to James 2 and the sin of partiality.

Questions:

1. Can partiality be eliminated by forced integration? Why or why not?

2. Where does partiality (respect of persons) begin?

3. Whom does God love more, Jew or Gentile? US citizen or African? Rich or poor? Black or white?

4. How can I know that all men are of equal worth in the sight of God? This being true, if I seek to be godly, what attitude must I have about the respect of persons?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God