Playing Favorites

"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism." (James 2:1)

We play a lot of games in life don’t we? Some require expensive equipment, some require costly memberships, and others require a social status. I enjoy the simple games of a ball, some simple accessories, and a few buddies or family members. We can choose from many games to enjoy our leisure time in this day and age.
One game no Christian should ever participate in is favoritism! It compromises character, tears apart testimonies, and ruins relationships. It’s easy to fall into the trap. We go out of our way to greet the Pastor every Sunday, but ignore the first-time visitor seated directly behind us. We’ll only attend Bible study if our favorite preacher is teaching that evening. We’ll support one ministry over another, not because of the work being done, but because of who is heading the ministry. Even in recruiting workers, we want the well known, the popular, the up-front people to be a part of out team. Who are we cheating?
Playing favorites is a deadly sin! It’s natural to do, if only because we have a sin nature! We have to be consciously aware of our thoughts and actions and purpose to honor all those we encounter with a greeting of Christ’s love. We must seek out those who are normally left out when recruiting helpers in ministry work. We must encourage and support all our leaders and teachers within the church, as they are doing valuable work for the Lord. We’re cheating ourselves out of friendships, out of knowledge, and out of experiences God has planned for us by ignoring, or should I say preferring, some over others, in the Body of Christ especially!
Imagine if Phillip would have ignored the Ethiopian stranger in town; if Jesus would not have gone through Samaria and spoke with the Samarian woman; if Paul would have ignored the Gentile dogs as they were known; imagine if God would have ignored each of us sinners, preferring to not touch us with His grace and mercy!!!! Where would we be? God is no respecter of persons and neither should we be!