Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
No matter how unbiased people claim to be or try to be, bias usually follows shortly thereafter. It doesn’t matter what type of word you want to use to describe the action or behavior. Whether it is being partial, prejudiced, or unfair, people are these things from time to time. With God, this is not the case, no matter the circumstances or who is involved.
Do we truly believe this to be the case regarding God? For the most part, as long as things are going the way that we need them to go, we usually accept the general premise that God is fair. Let the snowball start rolling downhill and lets just see what our response would be then shall we? There is no doubt in my mind that some people would immediately cry out, “God is unfair!” or “This is unfair, why would YOU allow this to happen to ME?”. We are so quick to take action or play the blame game when things begin to spiral out of control.
With all this said, we need to understand what is meant when the scriptures reveal to us that there is no partiality with God. That God is not a respecter of persons. In what, is God not a respecter or persons?
Acts 10:34-36 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)
What is being promised? Is it comfort? A faithful spouse? How about a nice house within a gated community with a flexible job that never puts you at odds with God? No, it is none of those things. Even Peter is now understanding that the message of the Gospel is open for all. God does not care who you are. He does not care about your lineage. It is for EVERY NATION, the man that fears God AND does what is right – is welcome to come to Him. The kind of sin that you have committed, God is not partial about. You could be an addict (of any kind), thief, murderer, liar, fornicator, idolator, (insert your favorite sin here), you could be any of those things and God will welcome you as long as you fear God and do what is right.
I don’t know about you but that sounds fair to me. Because the truth is, God has never promised us a comfortable life in this world that is filled with sin. Bad things happen to good people, but bad things also happen to bad people just as well. When we start trying to justify why bad things should happen to bad people, then we are missing the whole point of the Gospel altogether.
Before anyone decides to try to justify their thoughts on this, I want to be completely transparent with anyone who reads this article. This is a hill that I am willing to die on. There is not a single person on this planet (today) who is perfect. No. Not. One. Don’t come at me with this nonsense that bad things should happen to bad people. That is evil, that is malicious, and it is certainly not something that should be coming from our mouths. Even on our “perfect day”, we still need the grace of God and if we are too blind to see that, then we need to get back to the basics of the Gospel.
Let me also just say that as I have focused on “bad things” happening. We also need to realize that there is still plenty of good in our lives. Good things happen to both Christians and to unbelievers. We tend to focus on the negative but for the most part, it is mostly good that happens within our lives.
Allow me to just say that for so much of this article, I have focused on carnal things regarding the “good and bad” things that happen to us. These are all things that fleshly, worldly people focus on. The impartiality of God that Peter refers to in Acts 10, is clearly beneficial to us spiritually. He tells us that anyone who believes in Him, trusts in Him, and obeys Him (Hebrews 11:6) – are welcome to come to Him and be with Him for ALL eternity. Think about all the things in your life that are uncertain and then compare those things with the promise of God that you can be CERTAIN that you will be with Him for eternity?
Our culture has not helped us in understanding this principle unfortunately. Most of the time people view things from the “equal opportunity” but meaning “equal outcome”. Yet, this is not always the case in scripture.
Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Everyone has the same opportunity to go to Heaven. It is available to ALL. This does not mean that ALL will be saved. God desires that all men be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Not all people will accept the grace of God in their lives. Many will reject God and in doing so, it will not be God’s fault. God has not failed in saving man. God is not unfair, biased, prejudiced, or unjust because He attached instructions with His grace. It is HIS grace. He can distribute that grace to His creation as He sees fit. Look for the spiritual things and focus on those things in your life. (Colossians 3:1-3)
-Lee Elkins
