On the other hand, it is extremely important to remember that God is perfectly fair, and to understand fairness from God's perspective we have to see fairness as a core aspect of God's heart and character. So when it comes to fairness, my question is, What does the Bible say?
It's clear that God does not ever think it terms of partiality or favoritism. There is no "in crowd" or "out crowd" in the mind of God. This idea formed an essential core of the Mosaic Law code. "Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly" (Leviticus 19:15). Low or high, rich or poor, powerful or powerless, all we equal in the eyes of their Maker. "Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God" (Deuteronomy 1:17). While the great and powerful might have the ability to help you if you judge in their favor or hurt you if you judge against them, it is vitally important to remember that in the end, the Judge, will hold everyone accountable. Therefore, "do not be afraid of them."
"Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe" (Deuteronomy 16:19). Showing partiality might be beneficial in some cases, but the sacred principle of fairness, of equality before God, must always be maintained, "...for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality" (Deuteronomy 19:7).
I love how the wisdom of Solomon states it simply. "To show partiality is not good" (Proverbs 24:23; 28:21), and "If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever" (Proverbs 29:14). God promises to bless those in power who act in complete fairness.
Jesus had a reputation for never showing partiality (Luke 20:21). When Paul gave instructions to his associates, he was very clear on this issue. "I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and do nothing out of favoritism" (1 Timothy 5:21). If it was not a strong enough word of instruction, he even brought the elect angels into the picture.
So, the teaching of the Bible on the issue of fairness is very clear. There is just one problem. Everyone tends to have favorites and to show partiality. Even very conscientious parents who are committed to fairness and equality while raising their children, tend at times to favor one of them.
Frankly, when you think about it, our sinful bent toward self-centeredness, toward favoring ourselves and our own personal interests, tends to be reflected in the partiality we have toward others. Perhaps it's due to the fact that we find some people to be more supportive, more affirming of us, easier to manage. Others just rub us the wrong way, so no matter how well intentioned, it is easier to favor (even if unconsciously) the one that "rubs us the right way."
Try to think of it from God's perspective. God has created every human being intentionally and with purpose. God designed every person with an eternal significance and destiny. God did not decide to create some people to favor and others to have less importance. God did not create any throw-away, unnecessary human beings. God loves every one of his human creations with equal passion and commitment.
On the other hand, we look for reasons to believe that we - either me or my in-group - are, as the church lady used to say, just a little bit superior. We are comforted in our mess when we see others we think are even messier. In our sinful pride we may even define entire classes of people as essentially inferior. In that way, we feel justified when we treat them with anything less than fairness or equality. It seems important to recognize that any form of prejudicial treatment is contrary to the heart of our Father and is a clear violation of his commands.
The three classic expressions of favoritism are: racism (defining an out-group because of their race or ethnicity as unacceptable and arguing for their inferior status), classism (treating some people as inferior because of their economic and/or social status), and sexism (arguing that one gender is inferior, not just different, in some way). Even if we forget that God created everyone with equal worth and dignity, we can at least acknowledge that Jesus came to "level the playing field." Once again, Paul stated it so well. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile [racism], neither slave nor free [classism], nor is there male or female [sexism], for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). Prejudicial thinking that comes from pride and frankly, from sin, has no place in the heart and mind of God or of God's committed children.
