Discrimination towards another person because of your differences is sin. Partiality or prejudice against certain kinds of people is wrong, and is often the reason why many are still at odds with one another. While the Bible says there are certain kinds of people and beliefs that we should steer away from, it also makes clear that being prejudiced against others is wrong.

James 1:8-9 tells us, "Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbour as yourself." But if you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law."

God shows no favouritism

The Bible says that God shows no favouritism (see Romans 2:11). While being a child of God offers a lot of benefits, being a Christian doesn't mean being exempted from God's judgments.

Romans 14:12 says, "Each of us will give a personal account to God." All of us, Christian or not, will face the Lord and give an account of all that we have done on earth.

My focus on this writing is not to emphasise that those who did not believe in Christ will be condemned (that is the truth according to Mark 16:16), but that all who are saved will still "receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." (2 Corinthians 5:10; see also Matthew 12:33-36)

James 2:10-11 continues, "For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, 'You must not commit adultery,' also said, 'You must not murder.' So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law."

If we show favouritism or partiality to those we do not like, God is displeased because we are guilty of sin. Friend, discriminating against others is wrong.

Does this mean I will just accept everyone?

The Bible says "God so loved the world," (John 3:16) and there is no exception to that. Whether that person sitting beside you in the café is a homosexual, an adulterer, a thief or a murderer, that doesn't change the fact that God loves them and that Jesus died for them. But no, it doesn't mean that you will just accept them "as they are," either.

The Bible says God "wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)

The truth is that all men have sinned (Romans 3:23), and are in need of Christ, the only way to be saved and reconciled to the Father. (John 14:6)

All of these people, sinners like we are, need to hear the gospel. And if you exercise partiality and prejudice towards them, how will they hear it? (see Romans 10:14)

Friend, discrimination stops us from preaching the gospel to those whom Christ died for. We must stop this partiality, and come to the realisation that if God showed favouritism, no one would be saved because no one could ever meet His standards.