Posted on 06/17/2018 5:11:51 PM PDT by metmom
"My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism" (James 2:1).
Because God is impartial, we as Christians must be impartial too.
People are prone to treat others differently based upon external criteria such as looks, possessions, or social status, but God is utterly impartial. He never shows favoritism and always judges righteously.
Favoritism can be defined as a preferential attitude and treatment of a person or group over another having equal claims and rights. It is unjustified partiality. James 2:1-13 confronts it as sin and admonishes us to avoid it at all costs.
God's impartiality is seen throughout Scripture. For example, Moses said to the people of Israel, "The Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe. He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing. So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" (Deut. 10:17-19). Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, warned his judges to rule without partiality because God Himself has "no part in unrighteousness, or partiality" (2 Chron. 19:7).
God's impartiality is also seen in His gracious offer of salvation to people of every race. In Acts 10:34-35 Peter says, "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him."
God is also impartial in judgment. Romans 2:9-11 says that God will bring "tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil . . . but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good. For there is no partiality with God."
Our text is a timely admonition because prejudice, discrimination, and bigotry are ever-present evils in our society—both inside and outside the church. I pray that God will use these studies to guard you from favoritism's subtle influences and strengthen your commitment to godly living.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God to reveal any partiality you might be harboring. As He does, confess it and turn from it.
For Further Study
Read Ephesians 6:5-9 and 1 Timothy 5:17-21. How does God's impartiality apply to how you should respond to your co- workers and your church leaders?
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>> “It depends on what *foreknew* means...” <<
And that depends on what IS is!
(IOW don’t waste your time reading the scriptures)
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Esau, like many Americans, did not give a hoot about his heritage, and sold his birthright for a bowl of ‘red’ pottage.
Paul of all the writers of the WORD, demonstrates that even his actions ... holding the coat while Stephen was stoned, was touched to even pen most of the New Testament.
What Paul had over all other writers of the so called New Testament, was his education of the Old Testament ... Paul said ICorinthians 10:11-12 11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
The ‘elect’, ‘saints’ were chosen because they did not follow the first rebel ... as is translated ‘before the foundation of the world’. The Word is filled with references to that time Peter calls the ‘world that was’.
Peter (IIPeter 3) says there are three different heaven/earth worlds (should be ages) the first heaven/earth world (age) humans were not in flesh bodies... We have this flesh journey to let the children choose which side they will take... John 3: ... Born from above... This flesh journey begins with the conception ... as was demonstrated with Christ... Surely Christians believe Christ existed prior to His flesh journey?
Paul says Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
I dearly love the people with whom I go to church. Some of them come up with similar things all the time.
I don't buy into them because I don't buy into free will regarding salvation.
It would seem that it is not a doctrine that should separate Christians. I do wince when I hear it suggested that people will go to hell if the Church doesn't go out and save them. So you see Baptists desperately knocking on doors trying to get people saved.
If it were up to us then said Baptists are absolutely right. Christians should not care one iota about getting jobs or buying houses or raising kids, they should be out there saving the lost.
What a burden that would be!!!
Grace Grabbers: People who believe in free will therefore it is all in man's hands and not of God's grace to save whom He will?
One could argue that God showed special favor to people throughout scripture like Noah, Moses, etc. Or how about God knitting us in the womb like David or Paul? Doesn't this show partiality as He makes us what we are? No, because we all still are sinners before God and in need of His saving grace.
Someone might say, "Well, isn't God choosing a particular person for a task showing partiality, like God revealing Himself to Moses or Samson"? God choosing a person to do a specific task has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with their salvation. Please remember that the corrupt Balaam was chosen by God to speak to King Balam and blessed the Israelites. Caiaphas who conspired to put our Lord Jesus to death prophesied about the death of one man to save the nation. And God used the Assyrians to destroy the northern kingdom and then exact judgment on them for doing so. God uses people and nations to execute His will. Some of these people are saved. Some are not.
This is an extremely difficult understanding but I believe metmom is correct; God picks and chooses who to use based upon His sovereign will and purpose-not upon how nice we may or what potential we might have. As a Christian each one of us has a purpose and a worth to God because we are tied directly to His will and purpose. But it should be also noted that God can sometimes use jerks like Samson or Gideon to execute His will so it means nothing about a person's walk. God can also use a non-believer to execute His will, like he did with Balaam and Caiaphas, and it has NOTHING to do with a person's salvation. So just because we see someone in a "seeker-sensitive" church riding in limos and living in large houses, it means nothing.
God is simply impartial when it comes to our salvation. We all fall short. There are 23 verses in scripture which God repeatedly states that He is impartial. Below are a few of those verses:
Colossians 3:25-For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Deuteronomy 10:17-"For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
Job 34:19-Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands?
Ephesians 6:9-And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
I don’t believe in free will.
Neither do I believe that we have no choice in the matter.
As I’ve read Scripture, I’ve seen God continually telling people to choose.
He draws us and enlightens us and yes, I beleive He even gives us the ability to say yes.
However, if the person refuses, they refuse. If they love their sin enough that they will resist even God’s efforts to save them, then it’s on them. I do not believe that His will is irresistable, not because it couldn’t be but because He chooses to not force us into deciding for Him.
Obedience that is compelled is not love.
Those that endeavor to keep his commandments, and confess and repent their failures to do so.
There is no indication in scripture whatsoever that he will save any others.
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>> “I don’t believe in free will.” <<
>> “Neither do I believe that we have no choice in the matter.” <<
I hope you see the contradiction there.
>> “However, if the person refuses, they refuse. If they love their sin enough that they will resist even God’s efforts to save them, then it’s on them.” <<
Clearly true. Paul and Peter wrote some very plain scripture on this.
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No contradiction.
We have a will, we can choose, but it’s not *Free* because it’s not free from outside influences.
God is the only one who has a totally free will, free to act and decide without any outside pressure or influences to bear on His decision or action..
The rest of us are either slaves to sin or slaves to God.
As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.
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>> “We all have His word imprinted on our hearts...” <<
No, only his Kehillah.
If his word in in your heart, you will not seek to avoid his “Perfect Law of Liberty.”
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It's sad for those who want to continue arguing for the accursed gospel of salvation by works. The Holy Spirit says they as well as their gospel is accursed. They are blinded by their own self-righteousness and will be sorely shocked when they face their judgement. We can only show them the way - but they must walk in it - and pray that their eyes are opened to the truth. A genuine believer WILL walk by faith as their spirit nature has come alive to the things of God. But we are NEVER made righteous by our works. It is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from sin and clothes us in HIS righteousness.
Good article.
Just a slight correction. Our will are not free because of ourselves-not outside influence. James tells us that sin is caused 1) one is tempted by OUR OWN desires, 2) we build up lust in our hearts for that which we are tempted , and 3) our lust bring forth sin (James 1:14-15). It is our doing alone and we can't say that it was because we have been in the wrong place. If we are tempted like Joseph we should flee the house.
Jas 1:14-15 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
You must be born again.
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Read John ch 3 carefully.
We will be “born again” into bodies that exist in the realm of Yehova on the Day of Trumpets. If you cannot move invisibly like the wind as stated in John 3, you have not been “born again.”
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Uh, I’m gonna pass on that interpretation.
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Its exactly what the word of Yehova says, so of course you’ll ‘pass’ on it.
We can’t have Yeshua’s sheep hearing the truth, can we!
The “Born Again” fakery has millions swooning their way to damnation. The Adversary’s best work!
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Nonsense, what cult are you in? JW?
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I left the cult long ago.
“Christianity” is a pack of twisted lies that deny the word of Yehova.
If you don’t like what his word says, you find the fakery that suits your pleasure!
There will be massive gnashing of teeth!
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Christianity is the cult!?
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