Tag: no partiality
Day 3–Judges rule for God
Scripture reading for May 6: 2 Chronicles 19:4 -7“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 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.”
Part of our justice system of law enforcement is the court system. In our country, some judges are elected, some are appointed by those in authority, and some are nominated and approved by our government legislative branch. Each judge has a specific jurisdiction that they are assigned and they are to judge impartially according to the laws of the jurisdiction they oversee.
We see in the time of King Jehoshaphat, as this king led God’s people back to the Lord, one of the key factors was to establish judges who would judge justly. He appointed them city by city, assigning them their jurisdiction. As they were installed, he asked them to consider what they did and how they did it in the administration of justice. He reminded them that God was with them and that they did not judge for man, or themselves, or the king, but for God Himself. God would help them as they feared Him and were careful to justly and impartially pass judgment. Bribery was strictly forbidden as it was a means of partiality towards those with money or influence.
Oh how God’s simple instructions are needed in our system of justice today! As God appoints judges to positions of authority, He also is with those in judge’s positions. He knows how justice is being administered. He knows if the judge is impartial or is pedaling influence for money or favors. He sees the judge’s treatment of each person and promises to judge those who judge with partially or for bribes!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for watching over the justice system in each nation, city, and jurisdiction. Thank You for righteous judges who are impartial and treat all with dignity and respect. Remove those who are partial or accept bribes. Amen.
No partiality from God!
Scripture reading for June 16: Romans 2
“For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my Gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:11-16
In our sin-limited world view, we believe everyone is operating in some form of bias. People have different backgrounds and their upbringing, education, and experiences in life cause them to have certain biases. But when we examine God, Creator of all, we find that He is totally impartial. His knowledge is perfect about each person and situation. He is the One Just Judge, able to call perfect balls and strikes and bring justice for each person. According to Scripture, God has set a ‘Day’ when all men will be judged by God. This ‘Day’ will reveal all secrets of each person as they are judged for their actions and heart attitudes and held responsible for the Truth that had been revealed to them either through God’s Law or conscience.
Paul explained to the Romans how God will impartially judge each person. The Jews had God’s Law and were given instructions, not suggestions, about their conduct towards God and towards men. These would be judged by the Law. Gentiles, all others not Jewish, have God’s Law written on their hearts and the inner voice of God through conscience brings conviction of sin or affirmation of doing right. All people are without an excuse and God can and will judge each person based on the light that they have been given of revealed ‘Truth’. The ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ is God’s plan to save each person from their own guilt through repentance and faith.
What areas of bias are you aware of in your own life or culture that you feel are unfair? Have you though about the total impartiality of God and one day having to give an account before Him? From Scripture, what is the only plea before God that will spare us from judgment?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful for Your gift of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. I know that without grace, I would be found guilty of breaking Your Law and of violating my conscience. Use me to share the Truth of Your plan to help all escape judgment. Amen.
The sin of partiality
Scripture reading for October 6th: Jeremiah 22, 23, 26, Psalm 77, James 2
James 2: 8-13 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For He Who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
In the culture of this world, persons with wealth and position are shown favor and often given preferential treatment in hopes of gaining their favor. James warns the believers not to treat people with partiality, but to show equal love for each person as you would want for yourself. James called this the ‘royal law’ as it was part of Jesus’ summary of the commandments in loving God and loving your neighbor. Believers are to show mercy towards each person and avoid judging them. We realize that we need mercy ourselves and have been shown mercy by God. We must not choose which laws to obey either. Failure to obey even one makes us transgressors and liable for all.
Psalm 77:11-13 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your might deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing Word that reveals truth in every word and paragraph. Help me as a preacher of Your Word to speak the whole of it faithfully and without partiality towards those who hear. Let Your Word be a fire in the hearts of those who hear and a hammer to shatter the rocky hearts and shallow soil of those in need Your mercy. Help me to live out Your Word in truth.
Jeremiah 23:28-29 “Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has My Word speak My Word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. Is not My Word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”
God is impartial!
Scripture reading for May 25th: 2nd Samuel 18-20, Psalm 34, Romans 2
Romans 2:6-11 “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.“
Paul explained to the Roman believers that faith must have accompanying works. Those who were patiently doing good works and serving God through their relationship with Jesus Christ would receive eternal life. Those that lived for themselves and lived in rebellion to God’s truth would receive only wrath and the fury of God’s anger at the judgment. The psalmist stated that God sees the righteous and listens for their cries but stands against those who are evil to eliminate them from the earth! God is impartial! But it is not God’s will that any should be cut off or perish. King David’s cry over Absalom, his rebellious son, shares the heart of God in that he would rather have died instead of the son.
Psalm 34: 15-16 “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that Your eyes are upon the righteous and Your ears listen for our cry! I am thankful that You would rather show mercy and sent Your Son to take the place of rebellious sinners like me. Lord give me Your heart and help me to live reflecting Your impartiality and grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2nd Samuel 18:33 “And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
The ‘bondservant’s heart’
Scripture reading for February 9th: Exodus 22-24, Psalm 109, Ephesians 6
Ephesians 6: 5-9 “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 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.”
In Exodus 21:4-6, we have the description of a bondservant–one who willingly offers to serve his master for the rest of their lives. Paul, the Apostle, described himself as a ‘bondservant of Christ’ and called the believers who were employed or were slaves to a master or were masters themselves to serve God in the same way. God is the real Master of all believers and our Lord also came to serve gladly and willingly and to offer His life as a ransom for many. God promises to repay us for the good we do as His servants. If we are mistreated, God is watching. He is not partial. He sees our hearts and makes our hearts glad as we serve Him. He blesses His servants and cares for their every need and fulfills His purpose in each person making them fruitful and thriving.
Psalm 109:26-28 “Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to Your steadfast love! Let them know that this is your hand; You, O Lord, have done it! Let them curse, but You will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but Your servant will be glad.”
Prayer: Father, I commit my life to You as Your bondservant. I willingly serve You in all that I do from a heart shaped by Your Spirit living in me. I trust You for health, strength, and divine protection and provision. I trust You to make me fruitful for Your kingdom and according to Your Word. You will fulfill the number of my days and take me to glory!
Exodus 22:25-26 “You shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you. None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.”
Dealing with partiality! (Discrimination)
Scripture reading for October 6th: James 2
Key Scriptures: James 2:1-4 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinction among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
James now begins to deal with the sin of discrimination in the church. There were those who were showing partiality to people of higher social and economic status and elevating them while treating people of poorer economic and social status with deference. James calls them out and tells them that they are acting as judges and that this type of thinking is evil. We can apply this teaching in many ways in our culture and time. We may discriminate against people on the basis of their race or ethnic background. We may show partiality to people of like political persuasion and shun or treat as second class citizens those we disagree with. As James says, this is wrong and we are acting in pride and judging people. Times may change but the sins are the same! The remedy is allowing God’s love for all to flow.
James 2:8-9 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for the royal law of loving my neighbor as myself. I thank You also that You are not partial and that you show perfect love and justice and are the only One capable of judging. Forgive me for showing partiality and help me to value each person as precious and love them as my neighbor and myself.
James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Elders and the Church
Scripture reading for January 8th: 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-22 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudicing, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.”
Paul gave instructions to the Church concerning the care and discipline of their elders. Elders were charged with teaching and preaching God’s Word and prayer. Those who labored–worked hard and consistently–were to be taken care of financially from the offerings brought in. If there was any charge of sin in an elder’s life, it must be brought by two or three witnesses and all facts established. The offender was to be publicly rebuked if they persisted in sin. Those who repented would humbly ask for forgiveness and mercy. These things were to be done without respect for persons or any partiality. A warning was given to be careful in ordaining elders or laying hands on them prematurely. Careful inquiry and purity of life must be ascertained before setting them in leadership.
Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for clearly giving care to elders through instructions to Your people. Thank you for financial care and spiritual care and discipline. Help Your Church to do these things without partiality or prejudice.
Matthew 10:9-10 “Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.”
Do not be partial with Elders!
Scripture reading for July 1st: 1st Kings 9, 2nd Chronicles 8, 1st Timothy 5
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-21 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 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.”
Paul gave some simple instructions to Timothy concerning the treatment of elders in the Church. First, elders that ruled well were to be given ‘double honor’. Teaching and preaching were to be held in esteem and those laboring honorably were to receive proper compensation. However, if there was sin involing an elder, there must be two or three witness before considering the charge. If found true, public rebuke was required if there was no repentance. Both of these ‘rules’ were to be kept without partiality. All heaven is watching!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for clear instructions for elders in Your Church. I have sought to keep these instructions without partiality. Help me to continue in sound teaching and preaching to honor You alone!
2nd Chronicles 8:15 “And they did not turn aside from what the king had commanded the priests and Levites concerning any matter and concerning the treasuries.”
No partiality!
Scripture reading for September 30th: 1 Timothy 5, Psalm 45, Proverbs 10
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 5:17-21 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 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.”
Paul gave practical and scriptural advice to Timothy concerning church discipline. Elders must be properly taken care of and if accused of wrong, it must be established by two or three witnesses. Persistent sin in the life of an elder must be dealt with publicly to teach holy fear. God is impartial and church leaders must be also.
Faith Confession: I will not be partial and will seek to conduct myself in the fear of God and honor of His Holy Name. Let God be known and exalted among the nations!
Psalm 45:17 “I will cause Your Name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.”
God shows no partiality
Scripture reading for June 14th: Romans 2, Psalm 119, Proverbs 26
Key Scriptures: Romans 2:6-11 “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.”
God is ultimately and perfectly just. God alone knows all things about each person, Jew or Gentile. He knows the heart and the actions proceeding from the heart, whether good or bad. He has promised to reward each person according to their works based on the faith they hold. He is impartial. Only those who hold faith in Jesus Christ and His righteousness can do good works.
Faith Confession: I believe in Jesus Christ and seek to do His will by obeying His Word and the Holy Spirit leading me in the good works He has prepared for me. I want to stand before God and be rewarded. Deliver me from laziness and apathy.
Proverbs 26:14 “As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.”