God does not show favortism

General Robert E. Lee was once riding through Virginia toward Richmond on a train filled with Confederate officers and soldiers when a woman who was poorly dressed came into the train at one of the stations and walked down the aisle looking for a seat. No one offered to give her one until General Lee, in the far end of the car, arose, and motioned to her to take his place. Immediately several of the soldiers jumped up and offered their seats to the General.

"No, gentlemen," said he. "If you could not rise out of ordinary courtesy to an unknown woman, you need not do so for me."

COMMENTARY

In the book of Acts, Peter said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.” ~ (Acts 10:34-35)

In our world today it is very sad that so many are respected by the amount of money they have, the amount of power they have, the size of their home, the clothes they wear, the cars they drive etc. Which of these items can they bring to heaven?

An old Chinese proverb states, “Man is born with his hands clenched and dies with his hands wide open.”

James has great counsel on this too. He wrote, “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?...If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers…Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (James 2:1-12)


His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a check to pomp and mirth;
And all man’s greatness you may see
Condemned by His humility. ~ Henry Vaughan

APPLICATION

We have all heard it before, treat others as you would have them treat you. Also remember that Jesus said, “I tell you the truth whatever you do for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40). He also said, “….whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. “(Matthew 25:45).

God is not a respecter of persons, He shows no favoritism, neither should we. Whatever you sow, you shall reap, it may take a while but how you treat others will always come back to you. Treat the vagabond and the wealthy with the same common respect that is due to all of the children of God. You may be the only one to ever show kindness to a sad soul.

J. Lawrence Finley