TODAY’S VERSE:

James 2:1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism

As we continue our study on the book of Jonah, we learn that Jonah failed, in large part, due to his sin of partiality. Do you know what that word means? Partiality is to show favoritism for one person over another. The kids defined it as “a sin of selfishness, hatred, and jealousy, which leads to death”.  Nice job, kids! What does the Bible have to say about believers and partiality? “Today’s verse” and this next one tells us.

1 Timothy 5:21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

When people are partial, they think that either their loved ones or themselves are more important than others and they, alone, should receive grace and mercy. We are told in the Bible that we are all sinners and, therefore, we don’t deserve grace at all, much less more than another person.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

We are also, most importantly, told that God, Himself, is not partial.

Romans 2:11 For God does not show favoritism.

In the book of Jonah, we see that Jonah disobeyed God and was disciplined. Jonah almost drowned but God chose to save his life. Jonah repented of his disobedience and God showed him grace and mercy. God also showed the Ninevites, whom Jonah did not like, grace and mercy when they repented from their sin after receiving God’s warning. How did Jonah, a prophet of God and fellow sinner, react to this? Was he grateful and filled with awe? Nope! Jonah was angry and resentful because he was partial to self, considering himself more worthy of grace than his enemies. (Go read the book of Jonah so you know the whole story, please).  

We are commanded to consider other people more important than ourselves. We are not told to live selfish lives, putting our needs and wants above others. Nope, we are to live like the Lord Jesus Christ did- He laid His life down for us in order that we may be saved and, as His children, we are expected to do the same.

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It does not matter how we FEEL about other people. It matters what we THINK about God, His Word, and our obedience to Him. It matters how we live our lives and treat others. We should always remember that we are no better or worse than anyone else (Romans 3:23). God gives very clear commands in the Bible on how we are to treat all people, those whom we like and even those whom we do not. Our job is to obey!

Luke 6:27-28,31 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Do to others as you would have them do to you.