Partiality

And he (Peter) said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” Acts 10:28

Common. Unclean. Those two words strike at our hearts when we consider the depth of their meanings. Calling someone common is belittling because the word does not bring honor to the person, nor does it glorify God. Unclean shines a spotlight on sin, past or present, devalues the person, and attacks the worth God has placed upon them as His creation.

In this passage Peter addresses the Jewish traditions that call for separation between Jews and Gentiles. Jews adhered to rituals that emphasized their purity, while any association with Gentiles would be a violation of the Old Testament law and cause them to become unclean.

We may not say the words, but our thoughts and actions can condemn a person as being unclean and not good enough. We show partiality to people of status, power, and money, but are quick to overlook the poor, the oppressed, the common. “… but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.” Peter is conveying God’s heart for all people, whether rich or poor, sick or healthy, young or old. Don’t dismiss someone because they don’t fit your mold; they were created from God’s mold and in His image. How much better would the world be if we loved one another as God loves us, if we showed kindness and mercy, forgiveness and grace, and welcomed people from all walks of life?

Can you love others well, removing partiality, and seeing them as God’s creation with a purpose? Can you treat the common and unclean as brothers and sisters in a world that wants to destroy the very bonds of humanity that hold us together? Let’s set partiality aside and honor one another. Let’s do it together! 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you created all people and reconciled us to You through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus. You love us so much that You sent Your Son to atone for our sins. We pray that You will open our eyes to view others through Your lens, one that sees to the heart of man. May we honor You by loving others well. Remove from us any inkling of partiality that causes division. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.