Memorise: Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1st Timothy
5:20
Read: 1st Timothy 5:17-21, 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I
charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect
angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before
another, doing nothing by partiality.
Bible in one year: 1st Chronicles 10:12, Proverbs 27:15-28:1
MESSAGE
Partiality
is defined as a favourable bias or prejudice. It could also mean a
special fondness, or preferential treatment. The Bible speaks against
partiality as an abomination in the sight of God. Partiality is
especially evil because it leads to divisions, intrigue, envy, hatred,
and unhealthy competition among the people of God. It is also terrible,
in that it places the poor and the weak at a disadvantage. In any
organization or community where partiality is practiced, peace and unity
will be a rare community. The book of James reveals that the poor have a
very important place in the Church because of the levelling effect of
the Christian gospel. Also the nature and make-up of the Church has no
place for the social classifications and distinctions of the world. In
fact, if a Christian body should give any consideration to these
distinctions, it becomes, by fact, evil, and sides with the wealthy who
persecute Christians.
From
the account of Genesis, it was favouritism that fuelled the fire of
contention between Joseph and his brothers. The Bible has much to say
about the pitfalls of partiality. In the Old Testament, favouritism is
usually associated with injustice and bribery. But it was James who
condemned partiality most harshly. As a leader in the early church,
James witnessed Christians showing preference for wealthy members over
poor ones. In his letter, James asks his audience a rhetorical question:
“My brothers and sisters,
do you with your acts of favouritism really believe in our glorious
Lord Jesus Christ?” He said those who played favourites were like evil
judges, and he condemned them for it: “But if you show partiality, you
commit sin, and thus are convicted by the law as transgressions.” His
solution to the problem of partiality was simple. He issued the command:
“Carry out the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love
your neighbour as yourself.”
It’s
clear, in both Testaments, that any expression of favouritism is wrong
and likely to produce disastrous consequences. Jacob’s disproportionate
love for Joseph alienated Joseph from his brothers and eventually led to
his enslavement. Jacob’s partiality also led to his greatness heartache
– the loss of his son.
Because
respect of persons or partiality is used biblically in a negative
sense, the Bible declares several times that God is never guilty or
partiality. Paul clearly states in a universal context that God does not
show partiality or respect of persons in His judgement of the works of
individuals. God’s impartiality is made the basis for Paul’s command to
Christian masters to treat their slaves fairly since there is no
favouritism with God, their own great Master in heaven (Ephesians 6:9).
Paul uses this attitude of God to encourage the Christian slave to serve
his master wholeheartedly, since he will be repaid by his impartial God
in heaven.
Prayer point
Father, please purge my heart and Your Church of all acts of partiality and favouritism in Jesus’ name.
