The Sin We Choose To Ignore

Daily Devotional – Thursday, October 21, 2021

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.

James 2:1 (NKJV)

I recently watched a television interview where the guests were a Muslim Imam and two Christian church ministers. The leader of a major Christian denomination had banned politicians from addressing worshippers in churches under him. That was the topic.

Let us put the debate into context. Politicians in my country love churches partly because there are ready crowds to address in places of worship. In addition, most church leaders give front seats and the pulpit to politicians.

While the two Christians leaders were indecisive on the need to keep politicians away from worshippers, the Muslim unequivocally supported the ban. He said that politicians who attended mosques received no preferential treatment such as front seats and access to the pulpit.

Incidentally, Christianity started teaching against favouritism more than 2,000 years ago. Unfortunately, this teaching is unpopular and many Christians would rather ignore it.

James addressed this issue in the first century A.D. He wrote, “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (James 2:1).

Is the following scenario familiar?

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:2-4).

In James 2:5-13 we learn that practicing favouritism is the same as committing murder and adultery.

Why? Because when we honour only people who can be of material benefit to us, we place them above God in our lives. This is contrary to the First Commandment, which stipulates, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3).

As you interact with people in your family, workplace, church and community, remember, “God shows no partiality.” (Acts 10:34). Favouritism is a sin. God detests it. Do not exercise partiality.

Lord Jesus, help to treat all people with dignity, fairness and kindness, irrespective of their backgrounds.