Living A Principled Life

COMMUNITY: Impartiality Principle Keeping ourselves neutral in relation to judging others is difficult. God said, "Always judge people fairly" (Leviticus 19:15b). We dislike it when we feel we are judged unfairly. We want justice, but justice begins in the heart and is based on cold, hard, substantiated facts. Earlier in this verse, unfairness was explained when Moses said, "Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful" (19:15a). Favoritism perverts’ justice. In God’s Temple service, whether as a priest or as a worship leader in their specific division of the Levite clan, all were randomly chosen by lot as to when they would serve at the Temple. There were no bribes for special weeks; no one was given special treatment. The selfishness of sin did not enter into any choice. Note these statements: • “The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest” (1Chron. 24:31). • “Young and old alike, teacher as well as student, cast lots for their duties” (1Chron.25:8). God was no respecter of persons. When Jesus looked at people, he saw them all the same. Some had power or position or both. Others were terminally ill. He saw Matthew, a tax collector, the same way he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees. He viewed women like Mary and Martha the same as Peter, James, and John. The spies of the Sanhedrin came to him and said, "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth" (Luke 20:21). Obviously, Jesus dealt impartially and truthfully with all persons, spent time in all the class levels and charged them all with the same message. Preferential treatment of one above another was not a part of God’s creation; all are unique yet treated the same. He gifts us differently and recognizes our individuality but without the preference of one above another. James speaks to this with the statement, “don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1). He said discrimination based on beauty of body or the benefit of external circumstances that gave them wealth, power, or influence did not meet God's standard of impartiality. He went on to say that believers within the church gave well-dressed and jewelry-laden persons the best seats and special attention, while the poor were told to "stand over there, or else sit on the floor" (James 2:3). Favoritism based on a person's more or less of something temporal was discrimination and partiality guided by evil motives was declared wrong. Both the rich and the poor believed the message of the gospel, recognized the same Savior and together would inherit the same eternity in heaven. So, they were brothers, neither saved on the basis of any external criteria. James desired that all the people of God act like God does by not showing favoritism. However, understand that respect was due to aged persons, to certain callings, and to those with special gifts or graces. This respect was not given for their sakes but for God who made them. It allowed them to have positions of honor but the glory always going to God, not to the person. Favoritism, or partiality, appears many times in the Scriptures. In fact, over thirty passages discuss it in areas of legal justice, religious law, family law, national and relational settings, and classes. Even Paul gave notice to his readers to be impartial about obeying his instructions. Genesis to Deuteronomy, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, emphasizes impartiality. along with Isaiah, the first major prophet, Malachi, the last minor prophet, and the New Testament. God lifts Himself up as the best example of one who is impartial and who does not show favoritism. With this amount of evidence, why do we still treat some people better than others in our churches? Why do we talk with some and ignore others? We are guilty of favoritism on a regular basis. We act like unbelievers in this regard. We do it because we don’t see people in the same light. We see classes. We see gifted and non-gifted. We see intelligent and ignorant. We are misguided in our view of others. So how does it play out in your life with family members and work associates? Whom do you prefer above others? When you look at those around you, could you say that you do or do not abide by God’s standard of impartiality? With those questions personally addressed, then how can you excel at being impartial to persons of other ethnicities, to those who have wealth or lack it, have different likes and dislikes than you, and possibly even differ in political views? Some suggestions: 1. Never assume you know everything about any person or any situation. 2. Find out the facts, not just the story. 3. Gather input from others. 4. Pray to God for clarity, wisdom, and grace. 5. Understand that differences don't make one person wrong and the other right. Key Takeaway: "Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread" (Proverbs 28:21). Seeing people, the way God the Father and Jesus Christ see them is the first step toward impartiality. Daily following the five suggestions above is the second step toward an impartial view of all. What do you think would be the third and fourth steps? Applications: What will it take for you to push favoritism to the side and honestly address all people impartially? How could you, as a parent, teach impartiality/no favoritism to your children? How could a church make impartiality a key principle in everyone’s actions?