Love without Partiality

Love Is. . .

Commanded

It is an action

It forgives

It builds up/encourages

Now that we are doing those things we get to a true test of discipleship, how we love and treat others who bring no advantage to us.

Our big idea today is: God’s love is impartial and we must love without favoritism, prejudice, or discrimination.

Have you ever walked into a room and felt immediately sized up and judged? Maybe it was how you were dressed, or when you were talking to someone by your job or it was your background, your tattoos, your hairs, your weight, could be just about anything. Partiality is often subtle. It rarely announces itself. But it quietly decides:

Who gets attention

Who gets patience

Who gets honored

Who gets ignored.

James says favoritism and faith in Christ do not go together.

(Transition) If love is the mark of discipleship, then impartial love is the proof of maturity.

Partiality Contradicts Character of God

James 2:1–4 “1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?”

GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY

Deuteronomy 10:17 “17 “For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.”

Acts 10:34–35 “34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”

God does not love based on wealth, race education, influence, or usefulness.

FAVORTISM MAKES US JUDGES

James 2:4 “4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?”

Partiality assumes: I know who matters more

I can measure someone’s worth

THE CHURCH IS NOT A SOCIAL RANKING SYSTEM

In the passage we just rea the man in the fine clothes gets the good seat. The poor man gets the floor.

The problem was not hospitality

The problem was value assignment

APPLICATION:

Do I show partiality? Do I treat certain people with more warmth?

Do I unintentionally overlook the quiet, the struggling, the socially awkward?

In our congregation, would a guest sense equality or hierarchy?

This week, intentionally speak to someone you may normally overlook.

Partiality Violates the Law of Love

James 2:8–9 “8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

THE ROYAL LAW IS LOVE

The command from Leviticus 19:18 “18 ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” - - - - is love your neighbor is reiterated in Matthew 22:39 “39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Love does not ask: “What can they do for me?”

Love asks: “How can I serve them?”

Favoritism is Sin

We just read in Jm2:9, that showing partiality you are committing sin.

That is very strong language. Not weakness, not personality, not preference, no, look again at the verse, SIN!

Love Sees Image-Bearers

Check out Genesis 1:27 “27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” - - - when we elevate one and diminish another, we dishonor the Creator, let that sit for a moment, let me repeat that again.

Application

Repent of even subtle prejudice

Examine assumptions about people based on appearance or background

Teach your children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren to honor all people

Something to think about personally as you look at our congregation, are we a fellowship welcoming across all generations? Socioeconomic lines? Cultural differences?

Genuine Love is Sincere and Affectionate Toward All

Romans 12:9–10 “9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;”

LOVE WITH HYPOCRISY

“Anypokritos” —without a mask

No fake kindness

No selective warmth

DEVOTED IN BROTHERLY LOVE

“Philostorgos” —family affection

The church is not a club

It is a family

Family does not rank value by income or influence

GIVE PREFERENCE IN HONOR

This is the only “preference” we are commanded to show —outdo one another in showing honor

Instead of elevating the impressive, we elevate one another.

Application:

Practice honoring the behind the scene servants

Publicly thank people who cannot repay you

Sit beside someone different that you

Pray for someone outside your normal circle, in person!

Summary/Drawing a conclusion

PARTIALITY SAYS:

I matter more

You matter less

I am the judge of what matters

THE GOSPEL SAYS:

All have sinned

All need grace

All are invited

All stand equal at the cross

If we claim faith in Christ but divide by status, we contradict the cross!

Major Take-away

Impartial love reflects the heart of God

CHALLENGE:

Examine your heart for hidden favoritism

intentionally honor someone easily overlooked.

Pray: “Lord, help me see people the way You see them.”

AS A CONGREGATION MAY WE BE KNOWN AS A PLACE WHERE:

No matter your financial status you can sit side by side

Young and old are equally valued

The struggling and the successful are equally loved

Benediction – Love Without Partiality

May the God who shows no partiality Fill your hearts with His impartial love.

May you see every person this week Not through the lens of status or appearance, But through the lens of the cross.

May the Lord guard you from subtle favoritism, Cleanse you from hidden prejudice, And clothe you with sincere, unhypocritical love.

May you honor the overlooked, Welcome the outsider, Encourage the struggling, And reflect the heart of Christ to all.

And may this congregation be known As a place where grace levels the ground, Where love knows no hierarchy, And where every soul is valued equally at the foot of the cross.

Go in peace — Love without partiality, For you have been loved without condition.