“And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favourites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.””
1 Peter 1:17 NLT
We look around us and see others who seem so much better than we are. Or we feel smug because we think we are better than them. I have come across families where a mother perhaps has a favourite son, or a father a favourite daughter. In the workplace, a manager favours one of his employees over another. A school teacher has his or her “pets”. These are all human traits that are sinful and nothing to do with life in the Kingdom of God. The reality is that in God’s eyes, everyone has the same status. He “has no favourites”.
In our contact with our fellow human beings it can be very difficult to be truly impartial. We might be put off by someone’s behaviour or speech, cringing because of their brashness or coarseness. Our own prejudices prevail and often colour our opinions when faced with the way someone dresses. And we can get caught into the trap of being critical about others, just because they don’t conform to our own false and worldly standards. The Apostle James, in his letter, wrote, “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others?” (James 2:1). Blunt and to the point. He went on, “For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewellery, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” (James 2:2-4). Finally, he concluded, “But if you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law” (James 2:9).
In 1 Samuel 16 we read the story of how God sent the prophet Samuel to the home of Jesse to anoint Israel’s future king, to replace Saul. Jesse had eight sons and one by one they were paraded before Samuel but God didn’t choose any of them, until David was called in from his work in the fields. But as God rejected the first son, even though he was favoured by Samuel, we read, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”” (1 Samuel 16:7). That really sums it up. In our humanity we concern ourselves about how a person looks or behaves, but, in reality, it is what is within them that matters.
A sober theme today, but we have to be discerning. People can be manipulative. They can ingratiate themselves before another to gain favours, to get their way. But our discernment starts with the condition of our own hearts. Is our behaviour aligned with God’s ways? Is what we think compatible with God’s thoughts? Once we have sorted out our own lives under God’s gaze, we can then pray for His guidance as we look at other people. And we might just be amazed at seeing others as God sees them. I have come to know some lovely people but, superficially at least, they don’t conform to my expectations. Paul wrote “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (Romans 15:7). God doesn’t much like our sinful behaviour either, but through Jesus He has accepted us, warts and all. How can we not accept others, especially as He has?
Dear Father God. Thank You for Your grace, that saved a sinner like me. In Your name we accept our brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 