We forget a lot of moments from our childhood.
It’s interesting which moments lock into our minds and don’t let go. One of the unforgettable moments in my childhood is not fitting in with others. Perennially, I felt like I was trying to find my way into the inner circle, the cool kids, the in-crowd - whatever term you prefer for the group where I presumed, I would find freedom from insecurity.
The older I got, the more I saw people playing favorites and I felt like I rarely, if ever, ended up on that favorites list. As I come to the end of my 30s, I’m finding more and more freedom from that feeling of insecurity. But, like any besetting sin, I’m not beyond the reach of the enemy’s lies that I’m not worthy of acceptance and belonging. There are times I still fall back into feelings of unworthiness and insecurity.
A couple of years ago, I was studying my way through the book of James. Beginning in chapter 2, one of the most practical and in-your-face books of the New Testament, a simple and clear idea came to my mind.
God doesn’t play favorites.
Unlike the kids on the playground in 5th grade who selected their favorites for kickball…
Unlike my classmates who had their favorites to sit next to at lunch in high school…
Unlike the people who populated the top 8 sections of my friends’ My Space accounts (anyone remember that???)...
God doesn’t play favorites or treat friendship the way our world does. He is a friend who treats each of us with equal, unconditional love. He doesn’t leave some of us on the outside looking in, wishing we could earn love, belonging, and acceptance. In Christ, we are more loved, accepted, and known than we could imagine.
In James 2, the half-brother of Jesus shares how God’s friendship goes beyond favoritism. First, he notes how God is a friend who doesn’t judge based upon outward appearance.
“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, 'You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor'—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?”
God’s friendship towards us is not based upon what we wear. This friendship should prompt us to consider how we favor some people over others. God’s friendship with us can become a model for how we befriend and treat others.
Second, God is a friend who doesn’t make friends based on wealth or poverty.
“Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?...But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”
The economy of this world is very different from the economy of the kingdom of God. In God’s economy, through Christ, the poor of this world are rich in faith. To be God’s friend is to have wealth beyond measure and security beyond what a crisis can shake.
Third, God is a friend who transforms the lives of his friends. In James 1, James wrote, “Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them.”
Friendship with God is without favoritism, but it is not without transformation. God honors those the world has brought low and He humbles those our world naturally lifts up. When we become friends with God, we see ourselves as He does - with humility and security.
In his song, "How You Love Me," Patrick Mayberry sings about how God’s love and friendship function very differently than this world.
Our world would pick others who seem less broken, stronger, and people who offer them options. But our friend - our God - is not like this world. He is better.
Today, I hope you can rest and rejoice that you have a Friend who will never leave you nor forsake you. He doesn’t play favorites and in Him, you have a treasure this world cannot match.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the parents of three “little savages.” He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com.
