Partiality is when I decide to treat another person – or harbour an attitude toward them – based upon something that is not in any way a reason to do so………and, you and I do this ALL the time!

In this first section of James Ch2, we read about a rich man and a poor man……the rich man is being treated better than the poor man. It’s about wealth and power…..

So, why do we make the judgements we do about some people?

Is it their job, house, car, wife, children, ability, position in church, skin colour, nationality, political views………we could go on and on listing things that should not decide how we treat others, yet these are exactly the things that often dictate our attitudes!

And, when we do this we contradict our faith in Christ…..we usually reveal a judgemental heart…..we dishonour others…..we do not show mercy when it is a judgemental action…..

Do we sniff around the people who have the cool things that we think we would like? Do we give them special treatment? The people in authority who make things happen? The people who can open doors for us?

Do we turn our noses up at the people who have nothing material to excite us or to offer us? The people who don’t drive big cars and who aren’t in with the cool crowd……..

Verse 13 says “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”

I wonder how we are doing with mercy?

If we are following Jesus, if we are trusting in Him above all else…….these reasons for our partiality should be swept aside…..and, rejected as the petty worthless things they are…

Shouldn’t they?