Christian Living

FAVORITISM AND PARTIALITY ROM 2 11

by Vern Yamane
05/23/19
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ROMANS 2:11 What people think and say about you does not affect God's view of you. He treats and views everyone individually and equally according to his standards.  God's view is uninfluenced by the opinions and words of others.   God's view is my "Identity In Christ". 
 SCRIPTURE VERSES
We are told as children of God in Rom. 2:11, Eph. 6:9, Col. 3:25, Jas. 2:1   that we are  to show no FAVORITISM, PARTIALITY or RESPECT OF PERSONS.  We are to practice AGAPAO or unconditional love. It is not easy.  I fail I practice PARTIALITY and FAVORITISM 
THE DEFINITION OF PARTIALITY AND FAVORITISM
     The plural noun  "PARTIALITY" is a state or characteristics  of a person that has special fondness, preference or a liking to a person or a certain type of life style. Related words such as bias, prejudice,  love, taste, bias, dish, liking, tendency, penchant, flash, propensity, affinity, partisanship, type, inclination, proclivity, weakness, preference, predisposition, thing, prejudice, leaning unpack this  word further  I think to myself what is the use.  Everyone is doing it.  I don't want to give in but I do.  Is there a way out of my dilemma?  Favoritism and partiality occurs because we favor those who make us feel good. 

THE PROBLEM MOST OF US FACE

         In the New Testament there are two Greek words for love  AGAPAO and PHILEO   we are told to AGAPAO and not to PHILEO people.   I find it difficult in the flesh to AGAPAO people because although I attempt to practice AGAPAO (unconditional love ie no FAVORITES, no PARTIALITY, no respect of person) there are others that don't.   If no one is doing it, I want follow suit.   I need real life examples. 

I want to practice PHILEO or affectionate love all the time.    PHILEO embodies FAVORITISM and PARTIALITY.   PHILEO is not wrong, it is only wrong when we choose AGAPAO over PHILEO    
        “PHILEO love is a father or a mother's love for their children.  It is the normal love and affection a person has for his friend. When God says to AGAPAO someone he is not telling us to PHILEO that person.  He is not telling us to have the same feelings you have for your children or your wife.  He is telling us to AGAPAO that person. 
You ask yourself “Do I have to”.   No one has to do it.
       At that moment FAVORITISM or PARTIALITY steps in LIKE A WALL between you and that person.  A choice has to be made.  You opt out.  You choose not to AGAPAO that person when you have no feelings for that person.  You attitude of FAVORITISM or PARTIALITY needs to BE CHANGED. 

HOW DO I DO IT?  RELATED ARTICLES

"SELF ESTEEM",

"MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST",

"APPROVAL ADDICTION",

"PERFORMANCE ADDICTION",

"SEARCHING FOR SIGNFICANCE"