Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Ephesians 6:9 (ESV)
In Ephesians 6:5-9, Paul addresses relationships between slaves and slave owners. You might see this passage as irrelevant if you live in a part of the world where slavery is not practiced. Or you might, as I do, understand it as still applicable to employee/employer relationships. However, Paul’s message to slave owners (masters) about partiality has a broader application.
There is no partiality with God. He does not care if you are a boss or a worker-bee. He does not care about your ethnic background, what color your skin is, or your gender. Your finances, education, intelligence, or ability to hit, kick, or throw a ball make no difference to him. He welcomes all to come to him.
What God does care about is my relationship with him and what I do with the life he has given me. Have I surrendered my life to the Lordship of Jesus? And am I being faithful to him in all I do?
If God is impartial to a person’s appearance or status in life, should I not be also? I confess that I am most comfortable around people like myself. And that is not necessarily bad. But I need to guard against showing partiality to people who fall outside my comfort zone.
I need to be willing to embrace all believers in the Lord Jesus as brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of what they look or talk like, or any other differences. And I need to be willing to share the love of Christ with others, regardless of their social standing or appearance.
We have one Master in heaven who does not show partiality. And if he doesn’t, what right do I have to be partial in how I treat others (Jam. 2:1-13)?
