MrWonder's Bible Chat

Does God Ever Show Respect of Persons?

I suppose the answer depends on your definition of what "respect of persons" is.

"Does God treat some people better than others?" might be a better question. Yes, He does. He says this in Leviticus, concerning the Chosen Nation of Israel:

Lev 26:9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

He didn't say that about any other nation--only Israel. He chose the entire nation.

After Christ was crucified and resurrected, Peter preached the Gospel of salvation through Christ to the Gentiles at Cornelius' house and they were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter said of this event:

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Peter does not negate God's choice of Israel; God's respect of Israel above all other nations, but notes that God will not reject anyone in the world who will receive His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Lord and Saviour. Anyone CAN be saved, if they are willing to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus.

Does God show favoritism to individuals, though? Of course He does. Everyone isn't beautiful, rich, talented, smart, etc. God gives different gifts to everyone, and even different spiritual gifts to the church. The church is the Body of Christ and each has differing gifts. If the whole Body was eyes, where is the touch? Where is the hearing?

The problem comes in when we complain against God for exercising His right to choose to bless differently among different people.

Look at Peter himself. The Lord Jesus told Peter that when he was young, he got dressed and went wherever he pleased, but when he gets old, someone else will dress him and take him where he does not want to go, thereby signalling the type of death Peter would die. Peter's response was, "Well what about HIM?" referring to John. The Lord said, "What business is it of yours? Do what I tell you to do!"

So what you define "respect of persons" to be determines the answer. YES, God treats different people very differently. He does have respect of persons.

But when it comes to salvation, there is no respect of persons. All who repent and believe are saved.

Published 3.12.2004