The "Impartiality" of God

Articles

Philip C. Strong
12/13/22 - Bible Study

People are often partial (as in biased, prejudiced, unfair), but God isn’t. Peter declared in Acts 10:34-35 that “God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” Most believers realize this, at least until something in life doesn’t go the way they expect it to, and their fervent and sincere prayers aren’t answered they way they desire. Then, in their minds, “God is unfair!” (somewhat ironically, usually because He didn’t show them partiality in the matter!). The truth is that life here below in this sin-tainted world is not always “fair”- “bad” things happen to “good” people too. But God never promised anything contrary to that in the here and now, even for the faithful. In fact, He predicted that because of faithfulness to Him, more “bad” things would happen, cf. John 15:18-20; 2Tim.3:12.

However, even morally benign “bad” things (those not directly tied to sinful choices and behaviors) happen to “good” people also. Faithfulness to God does not provide some sort of protective bubble against “here and now” financial ruin, natural disaster, heartbreak, disease, or even death, (cf. Luke 16:19-25 regarding Lazarus). Thus, God is impartial in these areas too.

But the impartiality of God, as to which Peter was specifically referring in Acts 10, is particularly beneficial in spiritual regards. His impartiality means that ANYONE who turns to, believes, and obeys Him will be eternally saved and therefore “welcome” to and by Him into heaven. With all the uncertainty, hardship, and unfairness of “this” life, the security and blessing of the “next” life is more than fair- it’s merciful and gracious!

Unfortunately, most folks living in and focused on the “here and now” want their “heaven on earth”… and thus “here and now” rather than “hereafter.” And when their cursory “belief” in God doesn’t produce the results they desire in the “here and now,” God is proclaimed to be “unfair” (and thus partial), and rejected.

One of the primary causes of this basic breakdown in our understanding impartiality is also currently manifested more generally in society as a whole. It is the confusion of “equal opportunity” with that of “equal outcome.” Hopefully 1Cor.10:1ff will help us to observe a fundamental difference in them. Note that:

V.1, “all were under the cloud and all passed through the sea;” and,
V.2, “all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” and,
V.3, “all ate the same spiritual food;” and,
V.4, “all drank the same spiritual rock… and the rock was Christ.”
V.5, “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.”

Despite “all” having the same opportunities, “all” did NOT have the same outcome! Why? Was God being partial to some? Hardly! Note v.6 for the explanation, “Now these things happened to them (ie. those “laid low in the wilderness”) as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.” The impartiality of God provided them “all” with “equal opportunities,” but not with “equal outcomes,” precisely because the “outcomes” were up to them. Those who chose idolatry and immorality, and to try/test and grumble against the Lord (cf. vv.7-10) rather than to believe and obey, were “destroyed.” Why? Precisely because “God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” Such requires that the inverse is also true: those who reject Him and do what is wrong will be punished. This is the rule for EVERYONE in EVERY NATION because God is impartial.

We ALL have the same opportunities to know and believe the truth “For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to ALL men,” Titus 2:10; it is available to ALL because God is impartial. However, this “grace” that brought “salvation to all men” did so in the form of “instructions” which have to be obeyed by ALL to produce the same outcome of salvation for ALL, Titus 2:12-14! Since ALL won’t obey those instructions, ALL won’t be saved, Matt.7:13-27.

So, either generally in life or specifically in spiritual matters, don’t confuse “equal opportunity” with “equal outcome.” We should ALL be for “equal opportunities,” but not even God guarantees “equal outcomes” for ALL because the outcome is dependent upon individual choices made and actions taken. Otherwise, God would no longer be impartial. Think about it, won’t you?