The Impartial God
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Research conducted at Yale University’s Infant Cognition Center contradicts a common belief that children are born as blank slates and learn right and wrong from watching other people. Researchers found that babies as young as three months can actually distinguish good from evil.
The study used puppets to demonstrate good and bad behavior and allowed the children to choose which puppet they wanted to play with afterward. In one case, a puppet struggles to open a box, and another puppet helps it open the case. In the other example, while the puppet struggles with the box, a second puppet comes along and slams the box shut again. More than 80 percent of the time, babies selected the “good” puppet when presented with a choice between the good one and the bad one. Paul Bloom, an author and professor who took part in the study said, “Humans are born with a hard-wired morality, a sense of good and evil is bred in the bone. We are naturally moral beings, but our environment can enhance—or sadly degrade—this innate moral sense.”
We all have the moral sense inside of us telling us whats right or wrong. Whether we are born again or not.
How conscience is the deciding factor. But the conscience gets seared because we recieved a lie for so long we say it has to be true.
The same thing with the LGBTQ movement . It becomes a projection, then a feeling, then an attraction, then comes the indoctrination, finally a perversion of morality and a searing of the conscience.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
God isn’t a respecter of persons.
In the Hebrew, the expression refers literally to “the lifting up of the face” of another person.
7 Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”
While the greek it means “to receive the face”
We have a God who is not partial He doesn’t show favoritism, He’s not going to compromise who He is to suit your needs.
Partiality Ultimately means to accept someone external appearance as the real thing and to make an evaluation on that basis. Its closely related to prejudice.
Cornelius wasn’t great because of nationality or his station in life.
But because He feared the Lord and worked righteousness he was accepted by God.
But his works of righteousness wasn’t enough he needed Gods perfect righteousness only found through Jesus Christ.
11 For there is no partiality with God.
Anyone who does wrong is repaid fairly by God.
25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.
God is not partial. He shows no favoritism. In our minds we could think we are Gods favorites.
The Greek word used for favoritism (v. 34) is constructed on a Hebrew idiom meaning to lift a face. Peter saw that God does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnic background, looking up to some and down on others. But God does discriminate between those whose behavior is acceptable and those whose attitude is not acceptable.
Some problems in our lives aren’t a direct reflection of our person sin. Simular to John 9 the man who was born blind , the disciples asked who sinned this man or his parents Jesus said neither this man or his parents have sin but so the works of God will be revealed in him.
But theres other issues that are a direct reflection of our sin.
Harvard studies have shown that heavy digital users are twice as likely to show ADHD symptoms then those who are infrequent users. This was a close examination of 2600 students.
Also genetic or environmental factors (including parenting) that lead to high frequency digital media use are some of the ame ones that lead to ADHD
God showing no partiality is a quality that often gets over looked.
Because we can be so consumed with ourselves, in our flesh we are led to believe its all about us.
The fact that God shows no partiality its a direct attack on the self life.
When we become partial essentially what we are saying is what can I do to keep me safe.
God isn’t insecure that why He’s not partial.
He sets the standard and we either agree of disagree.
We are looking for a God to bypass His righteousness and holiness and accept me for who I am.
The great Christian duty is self-denial, which consists in two things: first, in denying worldly inclinations and its enjoyments, and second, in denying self-exultation and renouncing one’s self-significance by being empty of self.
Jonathan Edwards
We are to rise above our fellow by a superior self-forgetfulness.
Charles Spurgeon
There is no greater valor or sterner fight than that for self-effacement, self-oblivion.
Meister Eckhart
You can’t exercise faith and have favoritism in your heart at the same time.
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
Favoritism contradicts faith.
Showing favoritism is us being polluted with the world.
We measure people based on the worlds standards and not Gods.
How can we go from favoritism to faith?
We are “Brothers”
We all have a high view of one another.
Even if someone is in humble circumstances in there life. They are still your brother.
How we look at our brothers is from our position of faith not ones status of wealth or poverty.
Faith is what identifies us as believers. Ones high position before God comes from ones faith not wealth. If wealth gives me high status its a clear contradiction of faith.
James 2:2-4 is a variety ways favoritism could be shown.
James 2:2-4 “2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
2. Understanding Christ is our Glorious Lord.
Christ is whom our faith resides,
Jesus Christ is the supreme ruler in our lives.
He is the object of our faith.
As we imitate Christ we realize that He wasn’t partial.
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
This is in reference to eating food offered to idols.
That for the conscience sake of your neighbor and for the benefit of that one being saved you eat or refrain.
Bible commentator Mark Taylor said it this way,
1 Corinthians 7. Summary and Application: Do All for the Good of Others and to the Glory of God (10:23–11:1)
The glory of God, in this context, is not an individual pursuit per se but is rather an ambition lived out in relation to others, both believers and unbelievers. Building up one another and living among unbelievers with the goal of their salvation is the pursuit of the glory of God.
- the women at the well. A Samaritan women .Despite possible repercussion He still loved and ministered to her.
- Matthew the tax colllector
- Zacheeus
-The list goes on and on
The New King James Version Chapter 5
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
“Nothing without prejudice”
Means do nothing apart from judgement.
In the work of a bishop, superintendent or other Christian leader one of the worst sins is favoritism, and one of the most vital virtues is impartiality. Yet church history has been stained by gross favoritism, as church dignitaries have granted special favours to their relatives (nepotism), to members of their own caste, class or tribe, to people they happen to like, irrespective of their gifts or godliness, or to those to whom for some reason or other (even bribery) they are indebted.
Romans 2:11 “11 For there is no partiality with God.”
Eph 6:9 “9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
Col. 3:25 “25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
Luke 20:21 “21 Then they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:”
Gal 2:6 “6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.”
What damage can happen when we show favoritism to our kids ?
common cause of provoking children to anger is favoritism.
John F. MacArthur
Second, parents frustrate their children by showing favoritism.
John F. MacArthur
Righteousness is acknowling the good favoritism is overlooking the good and perusing what feels comfortable