For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
Deuteronomy 10:17
As we wrapped up our study of Acts 9-12 last week, our minds were taken back again to Act 10:34-35 where, after his vision and encounter with a Gentile named Cornelius, Peter exclaimed, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” Our text today adds a little more to that thought. God is impartial AND takes no bribes! This statement seems fitting for us to consider with it being election time. We’ve become a bit disillusioned with our politicians today because many have failed at this very point. Far too often, the stance they take turns out to be based on what they can personally gain from that cause. Our disillusionment with man though should simply cause us look to and seek the One Who alone is our hope–our God who never has nor ever will show partiality or take a bribe!
Certainly, this characteristic of God should encourage His people, but 2Ch 19:6-7 reminds us that it should also prompt something else in the hearts of men. Here, King Jehoshaphat is speaking to the judges he has established. Oh that our judges would heed the same warning! He instructs them to, “Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.” An awareness that God is impartial and His favor cannot be bought should cause men to fear before Him! We have seen case after case where the rich and famous seem to think they are above the law. What makes them so bold and unfearful of the consequences of their actions? Often, it’s because they think there’s always someone who can be bought! In their minds, the solution is always to throw enough money at the problem, and it will go away. But listen to what Psa 49:6-8 has to say regarding eternal judgment for sin: “Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly…”
There is only one payment for sin, and there’s not enough gold and silver in the world to match it. Just listen to how 1Pe 1:17-19 ties all these thoughts together: “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” There is no payment for sin, no redemption (i.e. a ransom to God for our souls), except in Jesus Christ. God shows no partiality. (Rom 2:11) No one can pay Him off to slip in some back door. Jesus is the only Way to the Father! Whatever privilege we may have been born to in this life, we our all bankrupt in our sin. (Rom 3:23) The debt is too great. Only through faith in Christ are we set free. We stand righteous before this holy God, trusting in nothing that we have to offer, trusting in no works that we have done, but simply believing in Christ as our acceptance before Him. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” (Rom 3:28-30) The old hymn writer had it right: “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling…”
Jamie