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Partiality & Impartialtiy Introduction: Partiality means a leaning toward, favoritism toward. It is closely kin to prejudice but different. Prejudice means to prejudge a person or people before we even get to know them. Partiality is to favor or lean toward others we may know. In sports we want the officials to be "impartial" or fair minded, to call the game as it is and not as they want it to be. We see the problem of "perceived" partiality at Jerusalem in Acts 6.1ff. On the other hand we see the impartiality of those at Berea in their willingness to search the scriptures to see whether Paul’s preaching was so, Acts 17.11. Let us take this time to view what the Bible says about "Partiality" and "Impartiality." A) Warnings of Partiality 1. Exodus 23.3 do not show partiality to a poor man i. This is scene in James 2.2-9 this partiality was toward the rich man. ii. It is wrong to value the soul of one person above that of another. Every soul is made in the image of God, and subject to judgment. 2. Deuteronomy 10.17 God shows no partiality, 2 Chronicles 19.7 i. He does not cast aside His low for certain people. ii. We want God to judge us fairly and mercifully on the day of judgment. 3. Ezekiel 18.4 the soul that sins shall die i. The Jews were not so, they valued the soul of the Jew above that of the Gentile, Peter had to learn the lesson of partiality, Acts 10.34- 35 ii. His grace is open to all mankind. iii. Some will say God does show partiality to His children, but they are to obey His commandments. 4.Proverbs 24.23 we are not to show partiality in judgment i. We are to listen, examine the facts, and act according to His law. ii. A fool decides a matter before he hears it, Proverbs 18.13 5. 1 Corinthians 13.7 love demands we think the best of others and care for them i. Believes the best until proven wrong ii. Wants others to do well B) Application 1) We are to be impartial in our obedience to the Law of Christ, James 2.10-11 i. Partial obedience is disobedience, wrong to covet, to steal, to worship idols, etc. ii. Very few people will break every single commandment of God, they can point toward their partial obedience but they are disobedient of the Law 2) We are to be impartial in dealing with our children i. Common mistakes of parents is favoring one child over another. ii. See this with Jacob favoring Joseph which created enmity between Joseph and his brothers, Genesis 37.3-4 iii. See this when dad has his favorite and mom her favorite with Isaac and Rebekah, Genesis 25.28 a. Often discipline is uneven; one child gets by with what another child can not b. Such will often cause one child to feel unloved, Ephesians 6.4 c. All children need discipline and instruction, Hebrews 12.7-8 d. Keep in mind to treat impartiality does not mean we treat them exactly the same for one child may need more spankings than the other, but we show the same concern and love 3) We are to be impartial toward our brethren i. We all develop our personal friendships based on common backgrounds, families, hobbies, and personalities. ii. We need to make sure we do not become "cliquish" in our conduct. a. People will perceive partiality and feel unwanted. b. Example: Bear Bryant and Adolp Rupp, one wins a Bowl game against Oklahoma and gets a cigarette lighter, the other wins a national championship and gets a new Cadillac. Could you blame Bear Bryant for leaving? iii. Be concern for all our brethren, Galatians 6.10 iv. We are to warn all those in sin, Galatians 6.1-2 v. We are to rebuke all those in sin, even elders, 1 Timothy 5.19-22 a. Have you know of one brother to be in sin and it is overlooked while another is dealt with? What’s the difference? vi. There show be not schism in the body, 1 Corinthians 12.22-27 a. Some parts of the body may be harder to get along with than other parts of the body but we should make the effort to work with all parts of the body. b. Not everybody can be as easy to get to know as you and I. We sometimes have to overlook other peoples imperfections and hopefully they will overlook ours. Conclusion: Thankfully we can learn to be impartial toward each other, our family members and God’s law. We can be thankful that God show no partiality, Romans 2.11; Acts 10.34-35. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 10.29.06
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