God Shows No Partiality

When the Samaritan woman raised the question of where to worship, Jesus told her not to quarrel over it. True worship, he said, belongs neither to Jerusalem nor to Mount Gerizim; it is worship offered in spirit and in truth by those who know God as Father.

This does not make the place of worship unimportant. What matters is knowing fully the One to whom worship is offered. Because God shows no partiality, treating people differently for what they own or the position they hold is nothing but human sin. In his love, God sets one starting line for those whose faith is weak and another for those whose faith is strong, so that everyone may cross the finish line and win the race.

Even in seasons when the faithful cannot come to church, each can still worship wholeheartedly wherever they are. No one should compare themselves with others and count themselves unhappy. Standing in the place God has appointed, they must keep only thanksgiving and hope in their hearts and lay everything else down. Those who run in this way will cross the finish line without fail and be embraced in the arms of God.