We show partiality to those with status, wealth, beauty, youth, position, etc. We especially like those we gravitate to our groups. We prefer their company and their opinions. A senior adult lady said to me, “Now that I am old I feel invisible; no one even acknowledges my presence.” Where do we seat people in our minds, in our social preferences? Which seats to we assign for those in our hearts? Whose words do we hear? Whose words do we ignore? Examine your thoughts and actions for partiality. God shows no partiality. That’s our example.
“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? … If you really fulfill 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.” (James 2:1–4, 8-9 ESV)
