RESPECT OF PERSONS

INTRODUCTION-- It is understandable that our Creator wants us to pattern our behavior on His. 1 Peter 1:13-17, 1 John 2:29, 3:7

1. God is no repecter of persons (or, shows no partiality).
   
   1. In opportunity (not unconditionally). Acts 15:7-9
      
   2. In responsibility. Romans 2:3-11
      
2. God bound laws regarding impartiality on Israel.
   
   1. Leviticus 19:15 "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor."
      
   2. Deuteronomy 1:17 (Moses' charge to judges) "Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; ye shall hear the small and the great alike; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you ye shall bring unto me, and I will hear it."
      
   3. Deuteronomy 16:19 "Thou shalt not wrest justice: thou shalt not respect persons; neither shalt thou take a bribe; for a bribe doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous."
      
3. Why do Christians (including preachers) show partiality (Oh, yes, we do!)?
   
   1. We are tempted to follow the world in honoring "special" people, or "celebrities," in a form of "class consciousness."
      
   2. Partiality toward the rich, in hope of sharing in their good fortune.
      
   3. Partiality toward the poor, in order to gain their gratitude.
      
   4. Partiality toward those who will follow us, in order to feed our egos.
      
4. We want advantage, because we imitate "Gentile-ism." Matthew 20:20-28
   

LESSON--

1. By being impartial, God upholds the virtue of being consistent.
   
   1. By His consistent example, we learn to make no distinctions in the relative importance of the things we are taught. Hebrews 2:1-3
      
   2. By His consistent example, we can learn to have a level attitude toward the lost. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (Or, like Peter in Acts 10:34-35.)
      
   3. Because God is consistent, we learn to shape our lives in heavenly wisdom, which is "without variance." James 3:13-17
      
2. Impartiality is to be observed in all cases, regardless of circumstances.
   
   1. We must not let REPUTATION interfere. Galatians 2:6, 1 Timothy 5:19-21
      
   2. Partiality regarding NATIONALITY is not "upright according to the truth of the Gospel." Galatians 2:11-13
      
   3. Partiality on the basis of ECONOMICS is sinful. James 2:1-9
      
   4. Impartiality must even be evident in SOCIAL contact. Hebrews 13:1-3
      

APPLICATION-- But some will say, "Isn't it natural for people to make distinctions?" Yes, but God did not call us to do what is "natural." Others may say, "But if I am impartial, how will I gain advantage?" The answer is, "We need to seek advantage with only one person, GOD." See Ephesians 5:1-2a