Text: James 2:1-13

The only place I know to begin is with and the sin that is still in my heart that is the root of prejudice as much as anger and lust are the root of murder and adultery. (Mt. 5:21-22, 27-28)

We all tend to judge by .

Partiality is when we form a judgment or opinion about a person based on their before we truly know that person.

Everyone struggles with favoritism. It is part of the . (1 Sam. 16:6,7)

Most people act as if our identity is a competition, that it’s based on comparison, that for me to have a strong sense of worth and value, then I have to be than someone else.

.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus never answers the question “who is my neighbor?”. He merely describes a neighbor.

Reality is - is my neighbor, even if for centuries their people have been looked down on by my people. (Lk. 10:25-29)

Any form of partiality – and not just the most extreme forms – any hint of favoritism is violating the heart of God “to our as ourselves.”

Every person is made in the and of God.

In the eternal view of things, along with creation makes us all equal. Every person needs mercy.

How can I feel superior in any way to another human when I remember that One truly superior to me is giving me grace, love and ?

Part of what we’re praying is for the removal of all prejudice and discrimination, so radically wanting all of that I don’t even want an ounce of partiality in me.

(Rev. 7:9-10; Mt. 6:10)