OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL-SATURDAY-21/05/2016-NO PARTIALITY-BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
NO PARTIALITY
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.
KJV
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.
Bible in one year
1st Chronicles
10:12, Proverbs 27:15-28:1
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