Favoritism

The following blog entry is compliments of Pastor Leon Hiebert, Community Care Pastor of Generations Church, Andover, KS

Scripture:  Romans 2: 6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done”….  9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  11 For God does not show favoritism.

Observation: The truth about the character of God in verse eleven is unchangeable.  He does not show favoritism.  Here it is applied to two different groups of people: Jews and Gentiles.  (Gentile is a biblical designation for people who are not Jews.)   Every human being has the same value to God.  They are as valuable as His Son, for He was willing to give His Son as the sacrifice to pay for their sins.  However, just because everyone has the same value to God, does not mean that He always treats everyone the same.  The context of verse eleven shows that God rewards each person differently—according to how they have lived.  Other Bible passages show that God gives different assignments and different amounts of talents.  But God loves each the same.

Application: Whether my assignment is to be a fireman, police officer, business man, teacher, or pastor, etc. makes me no more or less valuable to God than anyone else.  I will be rewarded by God according to how I used my talents to fulfill my calling/assignment in serving others.  And because He shows no favoritism, I can be as close to God as anyone else.  No one can stand between God and me unless I let them.

Prayer: Lord, oh how I want to keep walking close to you and get to know you better!  Amen.