If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13
We all have preferences. That’s natural. But, if I’m tempted to treat people differently depending on their popularity, achievements or wealth, I could easily find myself in sin. Deep down I must think that I will get something in return if I show them a little more or better attention than someone of lesser stature.
The earthly brother of Jesus, warns about this attitude when it comes to how we share our faith- “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.” We are to offer the life-changing message of the gospel to rich and poor, accomplished or not, known and unknown, without partiality. There is something very powerful about mission trips, wherein we travel around the world to remote places that have scarcely heard about Jesus, and then offer ALL the opportunity to know the Savior.
Do I tend to reserve the gospel or my affections for only those whom I think can offer something in return? Or, am I equally affectionate to all, recognizing that every person is one for whom Christ died, of infinite value to God, and worthy of my sharing?
God, as this day begins- I realize there are always choices to make with the time You’ve given me. Help me respond to people without partiality so that I demonstrate Your great love in an accurate manner. And, as Dr. Laura used to say “Let’s go take on the day!”
