GOD HAS NO FAVOURITES

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GOD HAS NO FAVOURITES

By Apostle Anthony Anayo Akangoziri

It was like a miracle the day the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and gave me a special understanding to this truth. I used to think that some people are more favoured by God than others. I used to think that some people have been destined to succeed while others are not. I used to think that God has favourites.

Similarly, some people that are suffering from diverse sicknesses or having various problems think that they’re destined for such. They think that it’s God that has created them for and destined them to a life of suffering.

Someone once said, “There are people who are destined to failure and poverty, it doesn’t matter how much they strive, they’re never going to succeed. They’ll never make it, no matter what effort they make”.

This is not true! Anyone can succeed and anyone can fail; it all

depends on what they’re doing. When people follow success principles, they’ll succeed, but when they start doing things that lead to failure, they’ll fail.

A friend told the story of two friends that went to a seer concerning their future. One was told that he’ll be very rich while the other was told that he’ll never be rich. The first one assumed that since he is destined to be rich he doesn’t have a choice. He started loafing around and refused to engage in any serious business. His friend left the location in pursuit of a good life. After some years of engaging in meaningful business activities he became very rich. How would you explain that?

No one is destined to be a failure in life. God didn’t ordain any one to fail. Anyone that does the right thing in life will get good results while the wrong steps we take in life will lead to failure.

God does not show favouritism or discrimination in His dealings with man.

People who have favourites in their families usually create so much problems in their homes. This almost destroyed Isaac’s family. He had two sons, Esau and Jacob. His favourite was Esau while Jacob was his wife’s favourite. We know the problem this caused in their home.

Jacob followed the same steps. Children always follow their parent’s steps! Jacob loved Rachael his second wife more than Leah. He also loved the children of Rachael more than others. Joseph was his favourite and this attracted hatred from his brothers.

Favouritism breeds hatred, envy, jealousy and pride. God cannot allow any of this in His kingdom. He wouldn’t do anything that will bring animosity and rancour in His family, the church.

It doesn’t matter what you think, God has no favourites and the scripture confirms this in more than four places.

Mathew 18:6, “… in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established”.

Now let’s look at these scriptures carefully:

Deuteronomy 10:17, “God regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward”.

2Chronicles 19:7,“For there is no iniquity with the Lord our God; nor respect of persons nor taking of gifts”.

Job34:19, “How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are the work of his hands”.

Acts 10:34, “Then peter opened his mouth and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons”.

Romans 2:11, “For there is no respect of persons with God”.

Galatians 2:6, “God accepted no man’s person”.

Ephesians 6:9, “Neither is there respect of persons with him”.

The above six scriptures stated in different forms that God has no favourites. 

He has no favourites in salvation, healing, and provisions.

In God’s kingdom there is no racial superiority. Evidently, some nations may boast of certain scientific and technological achievements while some may brag about their military might economic, these are no indicators of any more favour with God than other nations.

Romans 10:12-13, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the shall be save”.

We’re all saved by God’s grace. If anyone goes to hell it’s his choice. This doesn’t mean that the person in heaven is more favoured.

Everyone has equal opportunity to be saved. Christ died for all.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

God loves the world.

He loves humanity – equally! “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is RICH UNTO ALL that call upon him” (Rom. 10:12).

The early saints did not understand it that way. Though they were all believers, the Jews thought that they had more favour with God until this truth dawned on Peter: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation, he that feareth and worketh righteousness is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).

His concept and thinking were changed when he discovered that God has no favourites. He discovered that what was available to the Jews was equally available to the Gentiles. He therefore acknowledged that God treats everyone the same.

Someone said, “If God wants to save me, he will do it”. He didn’t know that God has offered him salvation. What he needed to do was to accept it.

It’s for anyone that believes.

Some Christians always wish that God would love them “as much as he loved Brother Jones”. They think that God loves Jones more. They’d wish to be as holy, healthy and successful as Brother Jones. Their thinking is very wrong. I thought like that when I was a young believer. I even prayed that God would love me as much as he loved certain people.

But as I continued studying God’s word I realized that God’s will is to save everyone!

His will is to heal everyone!

He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should be saved.   

He is a just God

He is righteous

He is equitable

Man has always accused Him of injustice; but He is just and has no respect of persons. He has no favourites.

I’ve seen and heard people hurl cruel accusations against Him.

Someone questions, “Why did he create man knowing that he’d fail?”

Another asked, “Why did God create me knowing that I cannot be saved?”

Others complain, “If He wants to save me, why has He not done so?”

Some interrogate, “Why has he not healed me?”

People always ask, “Why has he not done this or done that?” WHY? WHY? WHY?

All these questions arise because of ignorance.

The riches of God’s love extend to everyone! He has answered the human question. He has dealt with the problem of man. He has satisfied the eternal heart-cry of mankind.

Don’t blame Him for anything!

No one can accuse God of anything. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

He has given us exceeding great and previous promises through which we become partakers of His own nature.

In Christ we have rich and wonderful blessings. They are available to every man!

Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be save”.

The Bible states clearly that WHOEVER that calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And that WHOEVER that’s saved is entitled to the blessings of redemption. The word of God affirms that “better things accompany salvation” (Hebrews 6:9).

There are over 40 things that happened in the believer when he was saved and most of us do not know them. We don’t know that we have these blessings. When we see them in the lives of others, we think that they have special favour with God. Yet we have the same blessings.

We are all called of God for the same purpose. We are all to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is the purpose of God; that all his children will be like Christ, so that he’ll be the first born among many brethren.

We all are his favourite children. We have the same redemption.

Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

We have the same righteousness

1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption”.

We have the same ability to stand in the presence of the Father.

We have the same ability to stand before the enemy or any situation as though it were Jesus Himself standing.

We are all called of the same God by the same means.

I don’t have any special salvation from you, nor do you have a special one from me; we are called through the same gospel.

We all have a divine acceptance in the beloved. You don’t have any more peace with God than I do. We are reconciled by the same faith in Christ.

I have as much access to God as you do. He is my Father as much as He is yours. We have equal rights and privileges in Him.

If the sins of any other believer were forgiven completely, mine also are forgiven. It is the same blood that cleanses us from all sins.

We are baptized into the same Christ and have the same eternal life. We are sealed with the same Spirit.

We are all delivered from the authority of darkness.

Colossians 1:13 – 14, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

That you’re not healthy does not mean that you have any less deliverance the person enjoying divine health. It may be that you haven’t known that you’ve been delivered, that Satan does not have any more authority over you.

I don’t have more rights in the kingdom of God than you, neither do you. We  all have equal share of the Divine inheritance.

The Father does not own you more than He owns me. I am His as much as you are.

Healing belongs to me as much as it does to you.

We are all healed by his stripes (Isaiah 53:5). All of us!

We are all heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. What belongs to Christ belongs to all of us.

My prayer is that God will open the eyes of His children to begin to see these truths so that they’ll begin to enjoy the benefits and blessings that accompany salvation.

He delights in us as His children. He wants the best for us.

God loves you so much even as an unsaved sinner. He wants you to be saved. So, what are you waiting for? Salvation belongs to you as it does to all of God’s saints. You can be saved now, right where you are. And you’ll begin to enjoy the riches of Christ. Receive Jesus Christ into your life now as your Savior and Lord. Iinvite Jesus into your life. Do it now!

Perhaps you are one of those who wonder why there are financial inequalities in the world today. Some people are having a field day financially while some are barely getting along in life. You look at the former with envy, wishing to be as “favoured” as they are because you think that God has some financial favourites.

Understand this fact: God has no favourites even in financial matters.

His will is to bless us financially.

3 John 2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.

He has one wish and one will for us - to prosper and be in good health.

It’s true that the Bible warns us against covetousness and the love of money, but He wants to bless us materially. He loves us!

We must be willing to do what we’re expected to do in order to attract the blessings of God in our lives. This is where we get confused. God has done what he should for us to enjoy his blessings. How much we enjoy this blessing now depends on what we do or what we don’t do.

First, you must believe God for them. We must trust God for finances.

The problem with many of us is that we want to prosper but we are not willing to follow God’s formula.

Second, you must be a giver. The surest way to financial prosperity is giving. In fact you can rarely see where prosperity is mentioned in the Bible without giving. Search the Bible, and you’ll find out yourself.

Most people do not want to hear about giving, but receiving. But it doesn’t work that way. Many are flirting from one church to another to curb giving. They don’t want to be committed to the place and pay their tithes and give their offerings, support projects and outreaches. And they wonder why they’re having it rough financially. Some people have developed such bold face when money issues are discussed.  They simply switch off their mental switch that no matter how earnestly one appeals for funds, they won’t even move a farthing. And these are the ones that pray the most, binding the spirit of poverty and “killing” the witches and the “strong man” in their father’s houses” that are stopping them from getting rich. They go to every mountain and hill to break the “ancestral curse” of poverty.

Let’s not be fooling ourselves, we cannot mock God. He said that every man must surely reap whatever he has sown.

It’s a pity that when such people see their brethren or friends enjoying the blessings of God; when they see them prosper, they think that God is showing them more love. They’ll begin to blame God. They forget that they shut the windows of heaven against themselves.

The recipe for receiving is still giving and the basic formula of prosperity is generosity.

Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you” (Lk. 6:38)

Prov.11:25, ”The liberal soul shall be made fat”.

Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

We always take this scripture out of its setting. We quote it out of context. If you read the preceding verses, you’ll discover that they talk about giving.  Giving first, and then, receiving! Paul saw it as a communication, a two-way communication. When the receiving end ceases, then check the giving end.

I know someone who had tremendous financial success, but presently has dropped considerably. Why? He was liberal and generous. He helped many indigent folks in his community. He assisted some in their education and others in various trades and vocations. He was at the top among all his colleagues. Someone advised him to be wise and start keeping the money he spends on the others. So, he decided not to help people anymore; and he began to go down. As he began to fall, he turned to be bitter, critical and resentful.

Therefore, my Christian friend, don’t blame God. He’s not the cause of the problem. Look back and discover where you missed it. Find out where you broke the link and re-join it; and the blessing will begin to flow again.

Stop running away from responsibilities. Share in the responsibilities and blessings of your church with other members. Don’t disappear when there’s a need only to appear when the problem is over. Stop fooling yourself. Don’t shut the door of God’s blessing against yourself.

God wants you to be blessed materially. When you sow, God is committed to give the increase. He will increase nothing when nothing is sown. If you add nothing to nothing and multiply it by nothing, no matter the method you use, you’ll still get nothing.

When you’re not ready to act on God’s word, you may claim all the promises until the mouth bends and the tongue sticks out; nothing will work. When it happens this way, don’t think that God loves you less. NO!

Then you complain, “I know that this Brother really has more”.

That may be true. Definitely, all of us are not on the same level financially, and may never be. That one is living below his privileges does not imply that he’s not privileged. He might be ignorant of them, or may not know how to take advantage of them, and that may be responsible for his lack.

Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus, and for all of us, that the eyes of our understanding should be enlightened (Ephesians 1:16-19). We need to pray like that always because that’s what makes the difference sometimes.

Someone may have more understanding of Divine truths than you. He may have more light or revelation than you. And, as he walks in the light of what he knows, he may be enjoying more of the believers’ rights and privileges than you. This however, does not mean that God loves you less than him. You too can grow to that level if you so desire. That’s God’s purpose for every Christian – to attain to the standard of Jesus Christ.

As you draw closer to Him in love and fellowship, you’ll begin to have a clearer understanding of his promises; you’ll begin to see clearer what you are in Him. You’ll begin to see your privileges and how to enjoy them.

This is God’s intention for every one of us

He treats everyone the same.

He extends his love to everyone - even to sinners.    

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