One of the biggest motivators you can receive is a charge from one of your superiors. A charge is an authoritative instruction in matters of extraordinary importance. Whether it is an officer in the military, a manager at work, or a parent, a charge is able to clarify exactly what is expected of you. It focuses your goal, eliminates alternatives, and lays out a plan of action. Because we trust the authority of the one giving the charge, it is easier to get up and perform the task laid out no matter how difficult.
In Paul’s epistles, he gives serval charges for Christians to take on. One of these challenges continues to be extremely difficult for many to follow. Paul says in 1 Timothy 5:21, “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality.” In the immediate context, the “things” Paul is referring to are answering an accusation against the elders and responding to a sinning brother. In these instances, Paul is saying that it is vitally important that we do these things without showing favoritism or bias. But, this charge has much wider applications.
The Bible speaks about impartiality in many contexts. In Leviticus 19:15, Israel was commanded to be impartial concerning judgments of the law regardless of class. “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.” In Acts 10:34, when Peter met the Gentile, Cornelius, he understood that salvation is for all. He remarked, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
Although impartiality is preached throughout the Bible, Christians have failed over and over again to put it into practice. In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul tells us that Peter himself had to be corrected for showing preference to his fellow Jews over the Gentiles. These days, Christians continue to fail when it comes to racial bias. Perhaps we just haven’t understood the assignment given to us.
Let’s take the charge! Paul laid out Christ’s expectations for the church. He has focused our goal, he eliminated the alternatives and laid out a plan for us to follow. Let us treat one another without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. If I give favor to a brother because they are my friend, because they are part of my economic class, or if they share my skin color, I am not keeping Paul’s charge. It may seem extraordinarily difficult to overcome our prejudices. But, if we will trust our Superior, we will keep His charge.