Kent Bailey
The characteristic of reacting to all individuals in a fair and equitable manner is an important component dealing with the very essence of righteousness. This is an attribute that is both admired and appreciated by those who love truth and place a high estimate on that of right doing.
Knowledge and ability are classified as noble attainments within the realm of life, yet the totality of knowledge and the magnificence of ability can never serve as a substitute for equity, fairness, and justice.
Romans 2:1-11 informs us that God is not only righteous and holy, but that He is also impartial. Because all of humanity are components among God’s creation, God in his attributes must be equitable, fair, and just. God must make no difference in them, we thus note The Impartiality of God.
We can know with certainty that God is impartial due to the fact that God has declared all accountable individuals has having committed sin. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Romans 1, demonstrated the sinfulness of the Gentiles (1:18-32). In Romans 2, Paul continues the same line of reasoning in demonstrating that the Jew also had the same problem with sin (2:1-11). Regarding the aspect of sin in Romans chapter 3, God declares that all accountable individuals are guilty of sin.
While it is indeed the case that the Jew had every advantage over the Gentile in that the oracles of God had been committed to them in times past, none the less the Jew had violated God’s divine standard just as the Gentiles had (Romans 3:9-18). Thus Paul correctly concluded in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This passage does not state nor does it imply that God created humanity in such a way to make it impossible to remain righteous. As a matter of fact, the passage is not discussing the actions of God at all. The subject under consideration has to do with the free moral agency of man, and that by one’s own personal choice, when personal accountability is attained, one chooses to sin against God (Ezek. 18:1-4; 20-21).
We can know with certainty that in the Gospel age there is one standard of conduct for all accountable individuals. We note such because of the fact that God has provided the gospel of Christ as being God’s exclusive power to salvation from sin (Rom.1:16-17). We also note such in the Great Commission as stated by Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). God only has one Gospel to rid humanity of our sin problem therefore such implies that one becomes guilty of sin by violating this standard, which implies that all accountable individuals are amenable to this Gospel which is the totality of New Testament revelation. If the alien sinner is not amenable to this Gospel—the law of Christ—one could never violate it and thus could never become a sinner! However, one can violate the Gospel, therefore by our freedom of choice one can become a sinner.
We can know with certainty that God is impartial because he has provided a Savior for all accountable individuals. Christ is not the Savior of a particular political nation, class or race. He provides salvation for all accountable individuals and will save them from past sins upon their obedience to the Gospel (1 John 4:14; Heb. 5:8-9). Christ is the Savior of the world in that he will save all who comply with the conditions of salvation. Christ is the savior of the church in that he has saved from past sins this body of obedient believers who have obeyed the divine conditions of pardon.
We can know with certainty that God is impartial because the same invitation is extended to all sinners. This invitation is extended to those who are heavy laden (Matt. 11:28). It is extended to the thirsty (Rev. 22:17). No one responding upon the terms of the Gospel will be rejected (John 6:37).
We can know with certainty that God is impartial because the same conditions of salvation are required of all accountable individuals. Denominationalism teaches a multiplicity of ways to God, however Christ is the exclusive way (John 14:6). To be saved from pasts sins one must believe the Gospel of Christ (John 1:12), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess the Deity of Christ (Rom. 10:10), be baptized for the remission of past alien sins (Acts 2:38).
We can know with certainty that God is impartial in that Christ built only one true church that is comprised of all those who have been saved by the blood of Christ. It would indeed be both illogical and ridiculous to affirm that God has only one plan to save sinners and then also affirm that either the New Testament church is not essential to salvation, or that one can join the church of their choice. Christ built only one church (Matt. 16:18-19). All of the saved are in it (Acts 2:47). This church is referred to as being the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). There is only one body (Eph. 4:4). Therefore is it any wonder that such was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28)? One does not join the church of Christ in its universal extension, but is rather added to it by the Lord upon obeying the saving Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13).
We can know with certainty that God is impartial due to the fact of the universal nature of the Judgment of Christ. As the supreme Justice of all individuals Christ will not judge us as nations or classes, but rather he will judge us as individuals (Romans 14:12). Christ will not judge us by our educational background, nor our wealth, but rather by our deeds (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12).
The impartiality of God informs us not only about the justice of God; it also informs us that God views us as being equals. While God is no respecter of persons, indeed he is a respecter of character (Acts 10:34-35; 1 Pet. 3:12).
