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Impartiality In Our Dealings – James 2
Impartiality In Our Dealings – James 2
“That’s not fair…”. We not only all have heard this, we have said it. We stand in amazement that our children at a very young age have condemned ‘unfair’ treatment [realizing that often that means they think they have been mistreated - but still they recognize the concept of fairness and equity]. We also understand that ‘life’ is not fair as there are so many variables that go into the events of our lives. We CAN take comfort and consolation in knowing that God WILL bring all things to the bar of judgment and will deal with all aspects of our lives with fairness, righteousness, and impartiality.
God is impartial in applying judgment concerning right and wrong
2 Chronicles 19:7 — 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.””.
Job 34:19 — 19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?".
Romans 2:11 — 11 For God shows no partiality.".
Colossians 3:25 — 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.".
Ephesians 6:9 — 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.".
Acts 10:34 — 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,".
Wisdom from above is without partiality —
James 3:17 — 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.".
Warned the judges of Israel against -
Deuteronomy 1:17 — 17 You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’".
Deuteronomy 16:19 — 19 You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.".
2 Chronicles 19:7 — 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”".
NOT to the POOR or the rich -
Leviticus 19:15 — 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.".
Condemned the judges in Malachi for this -
Malachi 2:9 — 9 and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction.”".
Do all things without showing partiality -
1 Timothy 5:21 — 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.".
Those who show such partiality are said to be evil workers -
Jude 16 — 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.".
NOW reread James 2 about our dealing with each other in fairness, righteousness, equity, and without partiality for any group. As Jesus commanded: "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).
Hugh DeLong
