No Favorites

Galatians 2
v. 6: But from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism) - those recognized as important added nothing to me.

God has no favorites. I hadn't really thought of that before. Some translations say that God is not a respecter of persons. That's how I've always heard it and that translates, God has no favorites. This is confirmed throughout the New Testament:

Matthew 22
v. 16: They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians, "Teacher," they said, "We know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one; for you don't show partiality."

Mark 12
v. 14: When they came, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know you are truthful and defer to no one. For you don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God."

Ephesians 6
v. 9: And masters, treat them the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their and your Master is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

Colossians 3
v. 25: For the wrongdoer will be paid back from whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

I Peter 1
v. 17a: And if you address as Father the One who judges imparially based on each one's work...

I think it's pretty clear that God has no favorites. God is an equal-opportunity, equal-loving God. That can be a hard concept to grasp. Especially in our society. Everywhere we turn entertainers, athletes, politicians, authors, etc. are being lifted up...exalted as nothing shy of gods. They are idolized and our children (and sometimes in our hearts, even the adults) want to be just like them. They want to look like them, act like them, talk like them, have the same skills they have and, in some cases, even have the same habits they have, good or bad. Why? Because we believe that somehow they are better than we are. But that is so wrong.

In the eyes of God, (the Only One who is to be exalted, worshipped or idolized) we are all on a level playing field. No one catches the eye of God or His attention over another. No one is being compared. We are God's creation, made in His image and He loves us all the same. That's hard for us to wrap our heads around. In the land of competition, being the best, heck, we even rank our friends, "best". But God's not like that. He loves you because you're you. Not because your better than but because you're you.

So, the next time you think maybe God listens to your pastor more because he or she is more focused on Him; or God loves your big brother more because he was born first and that makes him special...think again. You are treasured by God just like everyone else. No favorites!!