By Todd Barrier  

We’ve all heard of the story of the church that was getting a new preacher. The day came that he was going to be introduced, and the congregation was excited.  

In the back sat a homeless man. No one talked to or greeted him because he was dirty and looked different.  

“Why is he here?” “Is he going to start trouble?” These must have been some of the thoughts in the building that day.  

When it came time to introduce the preacher, his name was announced, and everyone looked around with excitement. Slowly, the homeless man walked up and introduced himself as the new preacher. He had disguised himself to see how friendly his new church was.  

The people were shocked and ashamed they had treated the man this way.  

Have you ever done something like this? Maybe you showed partiality toward someone because they needed your help and looked like they deserved it but turned away from another because they didn’t look like they deserved it or met your standard.  

This is a worldly attitude, and we are told there can be no partiality in the church, or we become like the world. The gospel is for all!  

In James 2:8-10, the Bible says, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” 

We can’t let the church become like a country club. When the church is diverse, it looks more like heaven, and we understand the plights and misfortunes of many different types of people and are able to comfort and love like we are taught instead of judge and turn away.  

We become more loving because we love more people.  

Have you shown partiality and denied someone the life–saving knowledge of the gospel?