Favor vs favoritism
"Peter fairly exploded with his good news: 'It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.'"
Acts 10:34-36 MSG
What an encouragement! The Lord shows favor (grace) to all...not favoritism.
Evidence can be seen in Acts 10:
Cornelius Calls for Peter
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Peter was later questioned by other Jews and shared what he witnessed so they too would know that salvation is open to all (Acts 11:1-18).
I was reminded of Peter's "awakening" moment after having a dream of my own. I was perplexed about the dream but one of the things that stood out was that there were two guys named Nehemiah. I was vaguely familiar with the book/story Nehemiah, so I decided to read and study it. It was then that I learned Nehemiah is the second part of a set of books: Ezra and Nehemiah (hence the two men in the dream with the same name). The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally unified, however modern English Bibles have them split. Either way, they are meant to be read together as one and as a continuation of the story from 1 and 2 Chronicles. So, I began reading Ezra first.
In Ezra 1:1, we meet Cyrus, a Persian king, who just captured Babylon. His heart is moved by God to make a "proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing" that he has been appointed by the Lord, the God of heaven, "to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah" and deliver God's exiled people. This is interesting because King Cyrus was not an Israelite nor was he a devout believer in God. Yet, this is who God chose. The Lord could have raised up a king from within the Israelite nation, which had been done before. Instead He used a Gentile to accomplish His purpose.
What does this have to do with me and/or the dream? Candidly, I believe I was shown this to be reminded of God's loving kindness, His sovereignty, and my flawed mindset.
I'll start backwards from that list.
1. My flawed (sinful) thoughts: I had to acknowledge the conscious and unconscious bias within me, which showed up in my dream and out of it. To think less of someone or a group of people simply because we have different beliefs or to show preferential treatment to one person over another is judgmental, self-righteous, and showing favoritism. All of which are sinful and therefore, deadly. I don't enjoy admitting that to myself or others, but there's power in transparency and seeking God for forgiveness and help. Please pray for me!
According to an article from the University of Victoria regarding Equity and Human Rights (1):
"Often when we think about a bias, we think of it as a deliberate and malicious action against someone else. But sometimes biases occur without conscious realization. The term “bias” (also “implicit bias” and “unconscious bias”) refers to the unconscious assumptions, beliefs, attitudes and stereotypes that human brains have about different groups. These learned mental short-cuts affect how we perceive and respond to people.
Some key features about unconscious biases:
Everyone has them
They can be activated within a fraction of a second
We can hold biases against our own group
We can hold biases that go against our stated beliefs
Biases are generally shared within social groups, though people also have biases favouring people who share their identities
Biases are persistent, but can be changed with attention and work
Unconscious biases [favoritism] prevent us from seeing fairly and accurately the information or the people in front of us. Much research shows that unconscious biases systematically disadvantage already disadvantaged people, and provide un-earned advantages to those already advantaged."
That's research that merely backs up the principles and commands already outlined in the Bible. With the power and help of the Holy Spirit, I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind to see God's people the way He sees them: fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). I do not know the hearts of others (I don't even fully know my own), nor do I know the future of others. I am merely a human, so I need to stay in my lane and just love people as they are and as He has instructed me to do. God is the ONLY ONE who truly knows the heart and future of each person, which leads me to His sovereignty.
God is God. All that He does is divine and intentional and good, whether I understand it or not. His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). In fact, the Old and New Testament reveal many occasions where God showed favor to those some might deem "unfavorable". He made unorthodox and counter-cultural decisions as He partnered with, promoted, or saved the "unlikely".
Here are just a few examples:
King Cyrus - mentioned above. Cyrus the Great was a pagan king hand selected by God to subdue nations, deliver the Israelites, and commission the rebuilding of His Temple. As a result, this showed nonbelievers that the Lord is the One and Only true God. The Lord even refers to Cyrus as His shepherd (Isaiah 44:28) and His anointed one (Isaiah 45:1), although Cyrus didn't acknowledge Him (Isaiah 45:2-7). All of this was in accordance with His will which had already been prophesied. (Jeremiah 29:10)
Peter and Cornelius - described above. Acts 10-11
Jesus and the Samaritan woman - Historically, Jews did not associate with Samaritans (John 4:9) nor did Jewish religious teachers speak to women in public (John 4:27). Both situations were unapproved by man. Yet, we see Jesus break both of these barriers to ultimately save and share love with the Samaritan woman in John 4.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath - instead of being sent to any of the Israelite widows from his hometown for food, the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in a foreign land of pagan worship to receive food. 1 Kings 17, Luke 4:25-26,
Elisha and Naaman - Naaman was a pagan commander of the Syrian army (enemy of the Israelites). There were many lepers in Israel that Elisha could have healed, yet only Naaman, a Gentile, is cleansed. 2 Kings 5, Luke 4:27
Rahab - The woman labeled as a prostitute is the one who offers her home as a stake-out, hideout, and Airbnb spot for Joshua's two spies before the victorious battle at Jericho. Joshua 2
Parable of the Two Sons - Jesus tells the chief priests and elders a parable where "society's sinners" are elevated into the Kingdom of God before the religious elite because they repented and believed in Jesus Christ. Matthew 21:28-32
When Jesus spoke to the rich man and then the disciples (Luke 18:18-30, Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31), there are two things that stand out to me:
Jesus said, "No one is good except God alone." On my best day, I still fall short of the glory and goodness of God. Thank you, Jesus for saving me by grace through faith in You!
When Jesus told the disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, they asked who then can be saved. Jesus responds, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
That means those who have done lots of wrong things in their past, including me, can be saved and changed. That means leaders who have done corrupt things can be saved and changed. That means those that have committed heinous crimes can be saved and changed. That means non-believers can be saved and changed. That means those that are selfish, prideful, mean, judgmental, self-righteous, lazy, disrespectful, etc. can be changed. That means our enemies can also be saved and changed. Basically, that means: “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." This leads me to His loving kindness.
The encounter between Peter and Cornelius, orchestrated by the Lord, was for both groups to learn from. God accepts anyone because He loves everyone. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1-6). There are no "favorites" with God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. He shows His loving kindness to all (Matthew 5:45). Therefore, it's not my place as a human, and more importantly as His child, to show favoritism either. I'm to love others equally, whether they are my BFF or enemy and regardless of their religious background, denomination, ethnicity, nationality, culture, sin record, criminal record, economic status, social status, childhood background, career history, family history, age, weight, height, gender, blood type, eye color, toe nail polish (ok, I'm getting a bit carried away lol), etc. He loves me beyond my understanding and has shown me an overwhelming amount of grace and mercy. None of which I "earned". I desire to show and share the same with ALL of my neighbors out of gratitude for all He shows and shares with me.
The Bible teaches us how Jesus feels about favoritism, judgment, and love. Here are a few verses:
1 Samuel 16:6-7
Job 34:19
Psalms 145:9
Jeremiah 17:9-10
Matthew 7:1-5
Romans 2:11
Romans 8:31-39
Romans 10:11-13
Galatians 3:23-29
James 2:1-13
So what's the moral of the story??? God is sovereign (Psalm 135:6), I am not. He doesn't show favoritism (Romans 2:11-16), neither should I. He calls me to love Him wholeheartedly and my neighbors as myself (Mark 12:33), so that's what I must do!
Footnote:
“Unconscious Biases” University of Victoria | Equity and Human Rights, accessed June 11, 2023, https://www.uvic.ca/equity/employment-equity/bias/index.php.