The disposition to favor and promote the interest of one
person or family, or of one class of men, to the neglect of
others having equal claims; partiality.
I can't say that I had previously thought much about this. Didn't think I was guilty of it. Promoting one person or family...to the neglect of others having equal claims?? Partiality?? Hmmmmmm.
So I started thinking...after that quote from my pastor about being nice to one person, but not to another....could I be guilty? In my personal life? In my professional walk?
It is human nature, after all, to extend extra favor to those we "like". It is human nature....but it is not God's nature. And I am so thankful for that fact.
I am trying to be more mindful. I want to be sure that I am not....consciously or subconsciously....showing favoritism. I want to see others the way Christ did, the way our heavenly Father does. I want to have the type of love for others that is independent of how they act, how they think, what they value, how demanding they are....a love that is based soley on the fact that my perfect Father loves imperfect me.
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.
James 2:8-9
2 comments:
This is very interesting. I know that I have been guilty of favoring those more like me. Thank you for this awesome reminder of the high value God places on us all!
Steph
PS- It was sooo great to hear your voice yesterday!!! It was great encouragement!
Good thoughts! I'll try to be more mindful, too! :)
Here's a verse I read this morning:
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken."
That one stopped me cold. Yikes! I told Mark tonight: I have a feeling I'm going to be standing before God an AWFULLY looong time on Judgment Day. And Mark? In all seriousness, God will take one look at him and wave him through. Careless he is not.
Something to chew on, at least. I'm trying to be careFUL, not careLESS.
~Stacy
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