Garth Heckman
The David Alliance
TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com
Here are the key themes and teachings:
1. God's Impartiality as a Model:
- The Bible frequently states that God shows no favoritism or partiality. This is a foundational aspect of His character and justice.
- Deuteronomy 10:17: "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes."
- Romans 2:11: "For God does not show favoritism."
- Acts 10:34-35: Peter, recognizing a significant theological truth, declared, "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."
- Because God is impartial, His judgment is fair and applies to everyone equally, regardless of their background, status, or identity.
2. Condemnation of Favoritism and Partiality:
- The Bible explicitly condemns showing partiality, particularly based on wealth, social status, or outward appearance.
- James 2:1-4: This passage is a strong rebuke against favoritism within the church, illustrating the sin of giving preferential treatment to the rich over the poor. It states, "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. 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 discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
- James 2:9: "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers." This verse elevates favoritism to the level of sin.
- Leviticus 19:15: "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." This Old Testament law highlights the importance of fairness in judgment.
- Proverbs 24:23: "These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good."
3. Call to Impartiality and Love for All:
- Believers are called to emulate God's impartiality in all their dealings.
- 1 Timothy 5:21: Paul charges Timothy, a church leader, "I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing out of partiality."
- Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse emphasizes the unity and equality of all believers in Christ, transcending social and cultural distinctions.
- Matthew 7:1-3: While not using the word "bias" directly, Jesus warns against being a critic "full of bias toward others," emphasizing that we will be judged by the same standard we use for others.
- Love your neighbor: The "royal law" (James 2:8) to "love your neighbor as yourself" implicitly demands impartiality, as it means treating others with the same care and respect you desire for yourself, regardless of who they are.
In essence, the Bible views bias, partiality, and favoritism as contrary to God's righteous character and a hinderance to justice, love, and unity among people. It calls believers to strive for impartiality, treating all individuals with fairness, dignity, and love, reflecting the nature of God.
mind like water-when you drop a pebble, stone or a boulder into a lake lt always responds appropriately.
