DEVOTION, April 30, 2021

But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law (James 2:9, LNT).

I wonder how many of us (myself included!) violate this biblical truth. Are we not inclined to favor some people over others? When we favor whites over blacks, men over women, etc., are we guilty of a sin! I believe James is speaking of “prejudice” as opposed to favoritism. That is the word used in other translations (AMP, NET). We may favor some persons over others (friends over strangers), but we must work hard at overcoming prejudice. Prejudice is the practice of lumping a group of people together (blacks, whites, Asians, men, women, etc.) and concluding that all those in a certain group are inferior.

James reminds us that all human beings are created in God’s image and are therefore worthy of our love and respect. During the slavery period of our history, blacks were considered inferior to whites. We have thankfully grown beyond that era, but prejudice still exists among us. As believers in Jesus, we need to recognize that prejudice is a sin, and if we see it present in us, we need to repent and pray that God will set us free from this evil. There is no place for prejudice among God’s people.

Heavenly Father, help me recognize any traces of prejudice in my soul and set it aside with Your help. Help me see and understand that all persons are created in Your image and worthy of respect. You love all peoples, and I pray that I may do the same, in Jesus name, Amen.