Don't Pick Favorites

Work through the introductory slides to show how we are hard wired to pick favorites

Introduction: We make decisions all the time - decisions based on what is best, or most affordable, or coolest, or our favorite. In fact, some today are scared to make any decisions at all because of the plethora of options that our world has to offer. This is called decision anxiety. Unfortunately one area in life that decision anxiety doesn’t seem to be an issue is the area of prejudice - or partiality. We see tihs in the world today and scripture has much to say on the topic. First, we must define partiality.

Partiality: “To receive the face” of someone or to accept his external appearance as the real thing and to make an evaluation on that basis.

Show No Partiality = Don’t Pick Favorites!

Illustration #1 - Poor & Rich man

There are two evils in partiality (2:4)

Making distinctions motivated by evil

Making judgments motivated by evil

Am I guilty of looking at others with an evil motive?

There is one right motive - the perfect law of liberty (God’s Word)

The law places everyone on an even plain

Rom. 2:6

The law calls us to love (2:8)

Partiality is sin (2:9)

English Standard Version Chapter 6

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.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

For God shows no partiality.

Sin is breaking the law (2:10-12)

Judgment motivates us to show mercy (2:13)

Am I thinking like a forgiven sinner or a proud condemner?