DCLM Higher Everyday 24 September 2024 — Be Impartial Believers
DCLM Higher Everyday 24 September 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Be Impartial Believers
Topic: Be Impartial Believers
Text: James 2:1-10
1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Key Verse: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons” (James 2:1).
Message
Scale is one of the symbols of the judiciary where justice was beautifully represented by the ancients as holding a pair of scales equally balanced. It depicts the principle of equity and fairness, balance and objective outlook. Justice ought to be without prejudice or emosions.
Our text today condemns partiality in its entirety. We are expressly commanded in the Bible to do “nothing by partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21). Partiality makes someone a transgressor. “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” There were instances of partiality in the Bible: 1. Isaac and Rebecca were partilal in their love for their two sons 2. Israel also loved Joseph more than his other brothers (Genesis 25:28; 37:3). These examples caused painful outcomes. Believers should act impartially when mediating between disputants. We must give fair hearing to both parties in a dispute. Issues should be treated in their own merit without personal attachment. Same punishment should be for same offence; same reward for same good deed, no matter whose ox is gored. Say no to partiality.
Quote: Say no to partiality
Challenge: Partiality is condemnable; avoid it.
Prayer for today: Father, help me to always stand for justice, fairness and equity.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
