Partiality

But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2: 9.

Having meditated on what I refer to as the big phrase, But if, four huge words are spotted right away in this one-sentence text. I say huge, in that these are not simple words to be glanced at or rushed over without feeling their hugeness. They are huge in terms of heaviness, height, hypocrisy and heresy.

Remember, James, the author of this text, is a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the indwelling Holy Ghost abiding in him, as he abides in the Holy Ghost. It is through this servant’s enlightenment that we, in faith and trust, listen to his words of encouragement, comfort, warning and Spirit-stirring letter, addressed to the scattered people of God.

The text before us is a reminding, remonstrating and calling voice to be echoed wherever the Church is. In whatever state, condition and situation the Body of believers may be, James reminds us of the severity of this sin which he knows, so easily and quietly besets the people of God. One of the deceitful snares of this sin, is that it is not easily seen, as for example the sin of lying or cheating.

The sin of being partial, that of showing favouritism is not often considered as too serious an evil. In fact, it is not seen as evil at all, just that which is trite, of not much consequence, or importance. However, James in his wisdom, knowing the spread of partiality in the beloved Body, the Church of his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, is totally serious about it and so must we all be.  

Many of us of the Lord’s Body will say that we are impartial in our dealings with others, but are we, truly? Are we guiltless of showing favouritism, in the thoughts of our minds, the words of our mouths and the actions in our manner?  May truth be revealed to each believer as he or she hears this word from James, as brought to us in expanded, illuminated, Spiritual light.

At the onset, we were told of four huge words in this verse, huge in terms of heaviness, height, hypocrisy and heresy. With God the Holy Ghost, guarding and guiding our hearts and minds, we plunge headlong into this sea of truth.

The first huge word is partiality – But if you show partiality.

Partiality is huge in heaviness. In its simplest doing, to be partial, or show favouritism one over another, is to choose one person over another person based on your personal biases. A simple thing or what may be simple to you, causing no visible harm whatsoever, is to choose to sit with A and not B, although B is nearest to you, with lots of sitting room. But no! You say hello to B, as you pass by, give a lovely smile, ask for an excuse and wend your way to A, where there is hardly any space for you. You see, B is not an enemy, but certainly not a favourite of yours. Is that being partial? Let the Holy Ghost decide!

Perhaps, you are sharing food, and you give to all who are present. You do not discriminate, for whoever comes before you, you give the food. However, when you look up and see a family member or a very dear friend, you give a little more, with a smile on your face. Is that being partial? Let the Holy Ghost decide!

But if we show partiality, we are disrobing the Lord’s lesson of being impartial. Here is a sound word, as spoken in this parable which Jesus told about the Kingdom of heaven. He spoke of a landowner who had hired workers all through the day, to labour in his vineyard. He hired labourers even at the eleventh hour. At the end of the day, each worker was paid the same amount of money. Those who were hired at the beginning of the day and worked all day long were not in the least bit pleased and complained bitterly. What exactly was their complaint against the landowner? This is what they said. These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. Matthew 20: 12.

Believe it or not, it was because the landowner was a man who showed no partiality against his labourers, that some were most displeased with his actions. Is this not also true of us as God’s workers, who labour in His vineyard? We observe how He treats others, whom we feel are less deserving than we are, the same way He treats us. O how we pout, complain and grumble. We expect God to think as we think, speak as we speak and act as we act. Folly! To say the least, for showing any kind of favouritism or partiality is outright, downright sin in the eyes of God.

To show partiality has no big or small way in the sight of God.

To show partiality is heavy.

It is to commit sin and be convicted by the law as a transgressor.