Angles on Partiality

“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 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? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” James 2:1-6,8

James is practical, and sometimes sharp, his inspired words piercing to divide the motives of the heart. His immediate lesson is not to make assessment and grant favor superficially by appearance and wealth. These distinctions are based on visual evidence, and likely motivated by desire to be free from bother, or possibly, to gain benefit from those chosen to associate with. But God teaches more deeply that thinking this way is errant, not in failing to show compassion to the poor, or feeling sorry for them, but in thinking any differently of them at all. It does not flow from a Christ-heart to think a rich man more worthy or a needy man of less value. James is pointing out the horrible convolution of thinking too highly of ourselves, of ever feeling superior to anyone–that I am better, deserve better, belong with the bold and beautiful (as if they are ‘better’ in any way). Assessments are slanted and wrong when any standards are based on exterior measures. (Genesis 1:26-27; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 12:3)

Every day we are confronted with people. We naturally take mental measurements and fashion our approach, interactions, and conclusions based on how we perceive them. It’s important to filter our minds from prejudice and ask for God’s perspective and heart so we esteem each person as an image-bearer of God.

Am I prone to demeaning another my heart because of appearance or presentation? Do I ever, even subconsciously, deem myself more deserving than someone because of financial or educational resources, business acumen, physique, background, family advantages, political persuasion? Have I diminished another in public by casual criticism, pity, or put-downs? Do I extend sympathy and charity because it makes me feel good, or fills a real need? If we find ourselves the least bit smug, if any attitude or action smacks of pomp or superiority, thank God for the conviction and confess it.

What if we asked to see with the Lord’s eyes and respond to all people as He would? What if we took time to get to know people by name, and confer respect and value from God’s bounty? How will we genuinely honor those we encounter today?

Lord, uncover and transform any inane partiality or hidden prejudice, uproot it for the sake of Your honor, and transform it to Christ-like love.