We all may have a favorite ice cream, or a food to eat. We might have a favorite car to drive or a favorite place to visit. However, it is not good to have a favorite person. You may enjoy someone’s company and have a great love towards someone, but if we choose to treat some better than others we could fall into the entrapment of favoritism. This practice is continuing to give unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another. This type of treatment though the one getting it may like it all the others may feel treated unfairly.
Showing favoritism is the opposite of being in unity which the best selling book of all time, The Bible teaches. In Galatians 3:28 it reads, “neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” One can also read in several instances of those who were called of God but then chose to do the opposite of what they knew to do and showed partiality and reaped the consequences of that. Abraham favored Isaac over Ishmael, Isaac favored Esau over Jacob, and Jacob favored Joseph over his brothers. In each one of these cases the outcomes had devastating impacts on others.
The apostle Peter once said as recorded in the book of Acts, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” In the book of Romans it is encouraged to “let our love be without hypocrisy. To abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good and be kindly affectionate to one another, in honor giving preference to one another…be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
“If it be possible as much as it depends on you” is a choice. It could be a very difficult choice that is why it says, “if it be possible.” But, with God’s help He will give us His mercy and grace to at least not show partiality and treat others unfairly. We are to be the “hands and feet” of Christ and if our faith is placed in Him we will be moved by compassion to help those in any need, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The best way to do that is to never show favoritism or partiality.
~TRS 10-6-24
Rays of Hope 