No partiality with God

Christianity is accused of being a racist religion. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The character of God is described as free from partiality or favoritism towards any group of people. The Old Testament states, “For Yehovah your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality” (Deuteronomy 10:17). The New Testament reinforces this fact, “God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28). All the differences that separate people are eliminated among believers in Jesus.

“Neither Jew nor Greek.” The greatest religious difference at the time of Christ was monotheism (Judaism) versus polytheism (pagan religions). Here “Greek” is used to represent all the non- Jewish peoples of the world (gentiles). This difference ceases to exist when all accept Jesus as their Lord. The one true God, Yehovah, is now God of all. Acts chapters 10 and 11 are an inspiring account of how God brought Jew and Gentile together through their share faith in Jesus.

“Neither slave nor free man.” It is estimated that as many as 40% of all the people living in the Roman empire were slaves. “Neither slave nor free man” indicates how Christianity does away with differences in class and social status among believers. Christianity eliminated slavery around the world by changing the hearts of men so that they would not tolerate it in their societies.

Within the church slaves and free men saw each other as brothers. In the book of Philemon Paul sends Onesimus (a slave who had come to faith in Christ) back to his human master, Philemon. Paul states he is sending Onesimus back “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” (Philemon 1:16). Christianity did not support slavery, it taught how to operate in a secular society that practiced slavery.

“Neither male nor female.” The Bible contains the accounts of many strong women who were integral to God accomplishing His plans. Sarah, Rebeccah, Rachel, Miriam, Rehab, Deborah, Hanna, Ruth, and Esther to name a few from the Old Testament. Mary (the mother of Jesus) Mary and Martha, Lydia, and Priscilla in the New Testament. The Bible describes different roles and functions for men and women, but these distinctions are equally needed and valued.

Faith in Jesus removed the difference that would separate us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).