Let There Be No Partiality
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA Christian man once attended a congregation regularly for several months, but he was always ignored. Because no one knew who he was, and he looked out-of-place with his old and worn-out clothes, no one ever took the time to speak to him.
One Sunday as he took a seat in the assembly, he intentionally left his hat on. As the preacher stood behind the pulpit and looked out over the audience, he noticed the man with the hat right away. So he summoned one of the deacons and asked him to tell the man that he forgot to remove his hat. When the deacon spoke to the man, he responded with a big smile and said, “I thought that would do it. I have attended this congregation for 6 months, and you are the first person who has ever talked to me.”
Brethren, there is no place for prejudice or favoritism in the family of God. We who have been baptized into Christ are equals in God’s sight (Gal. 3:26-28. And that equality should be evident in the way we treat other brethren (cf. Romans 12:10).
We must be hospitable and courteous to all, regardless of their race, social status, or appearance (James 2:1-9). When we show favoritism, we sin against people whom God loves and for whom Christ died. Let’s be gracious to everyone and be careful to avoid showing partiality.