Show No Partiality
Show no partiality, in today's society where there is the tendency to only honour those whom we believe that can in some way, help us or those whom we believe have everything going right for them, is what we as Christians must not follow.
As humans, we often look at those who are rich and will as the saying goes, "bend over backwards" for them. People tend to look up the elite and the pop stars, etc. This is because they have this aspiration to one day be like them.
This, however, is a very destructive way of viewing others. The book of James 2:1 tells us this:
"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory".
James is basically telling us not to treat others whom society considers unimportant differently in comparison to those whom society thinks are of "some value"
Let us not forget that while our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was walking on this earth, He show impartiality to those around Him.
Let us examine some examples of Jesus' lessons that we whom profess to be His followers must also follow:
In Luke chapter 7, we read about the lady who broke the alabaster jar that was filled with expensive perfume. She knelt down and cried at the feet of Jesus and used her hair to wipe His feet. Also we see where the Pharisee who had invited Jesus to dinner was thinking to himself that if Jesus was a prophet, He would have know that this woman was a sinner.
Jesus did not condemn the woman, but instead told her that her sins were forgiven. The Pharisee on the other hand, because he knew of her reputation, did not want to "associate" himself with her.
The Pharisee was too proud and looked down on someone whom he considered beneath him.
Jesus did not look down on her because of her sins because if He did, where would we be. Let us not forget that before we came to Christ, we too were once in the same position as the lady with the alabaster box.
In Luke chapter 19: 1 - 10, we read the account of Zacchaeus, who was the chief tax collector in the region. Jesus was a guest at his house, however, the Scripture tells us that the people were displeased because "He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner."
When we read throughout the Scriptures, we see where the Lord Jesus did not favour one set of people over another. After all, didn't He not tell us that He came for the sick, not the healthy (Mark 2:17).
Let us not forget that although Jesus was rich, He became poor for us (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus gave up His divinity so that He could walk this earth in order to bring the "sinners", the marginalised of society who saw their need for a Saviour.
If our Lord and Saviour showed no partiality to those back then that the so called elite looked down on, then why should we, look down on others whom our society tries to tell us that are not worthy.
We are all made in the image of God. Therefore, it does not matter who it, that person is precious in the Lord's eyes. So precious that He would sacrifice His own life for that person.
If you find yourself looking up to some but then looking down on others, remember the teachings of the Lord. The same way Jesus has extended grace and mercy to us, so too must we do to others.
