The Corruption of Favor and the Call to Holiness
- Raymond Melendez
- Jun 28
- 4 min read
Across the world, favoritism—manifested in political corruption, judicial bias, and selective diplomacy—erodes public trust and destabilizes nations. This deep-rooted injustice not only distorts governance but also reflects a broader struggle: the tension between law and mercy, obedience and holiness. Just as social systems are corrupted by partiality, so too are individuals who comply without understanding.
The Holy Scriptures teach that holiness is not earned—it is a gift that comes from Christ, who understands the purpose of God's law. As 2 Nephi 9:48 reflects, holiness must be preceded by an understanding of God's justice. In this light, both governments and individuals are called not merely to uphold the law but to be transformed by it. Reform—whether civic or spiritual—requires more than obedience; it requires an understanding of God's righteousness.
From Corrupt Connections to Strict Obedience
In a world where political favoritism often dictates power, opportunity, and justice, the global divide between corruption and integrity is clear. Countries plagued by favoritism and authoritarianism—like Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria—struggle under systems where loyalty to personal connections outweighs the rule of law. Meanwhile, nations such as Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand exemplify the strength of impartial institutions, showing that transparency, accountability, and civic duty are critical to resisting the rot of favoritism (Transparency International).
This same principle of impartial justice is echoed in the Holy Scriptures. The Levites, a tribe set apart for holy service, demonstrated a radical obedience that refused to show favoritism—even to family. In Deuteronomy 33:9 and Exodus 32:27, their calling required them to uphold God's law without regard for personal ties. Their loyalty was not to blood but to law, serving as a sobering model of justice untainted by emotion or bias.
From modern governance to the holy priesthood, the message is clear: Justice rises above favoritism. Whether in the halls of government or the courts of law, righteousness stands firm only when obedience shows no partiality.
When Compliance Replaces Understanding
In the global arena, favoritism often disguises itself as strategy. Nations like the United States and China face growing criticism for foreign policies that appear less about the people and more about political gain. Whether it's U.S. aid disproportionately directed toward allies like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine, or China’s Belt and Road Initiative benefiting resource-rich or compliant states, these actions reveal a pattern: decisions driven by personal interest (Miller and Rolland).
This mirrors the tension found in scripture—between obedience and understanding. The Levites obeyed God without compromise, severing even familial bonds to uphold God's commands. Their obedience was pure, but it lacked an understanding of God's purpose within the law. In contrast, Christ's mission was to obey the law by understanding its purpose.
Both politics and faith confront the same dilemma: Is it enough to simply comply, or are we to seek an understanding of justice? Favoritism—whether on a geopolitical scale or in God's household—becomes dangerous when compliance and loyalty substitute truth.
Extending the Household
Even in the most advanced democracies, favoritism remains embedded in law and society. In the United States, political influence is often dictated by wealth, with corporate lobbying and campaign financing giving the powerful a louder voice. In the justice system, racial and socioeconomic disparities persist, where access to fair treatment often hinges on privilege. Meanwhile, in authoritarian regimes like Russia and North Korea, the law becomes a weapon of control, blatantly favoring elites and punishing opposition. In both democratic and autocratic systems, the scales of justice tilt toward the few (Freedom House).
Yet this pattern of favoritism—of protecting one’s own and excluding others—is not only political; it is familial. Scripture shows us how God challenged it. The Levites upheld God’s law by forsaking familial ties, embodying fierce obedience that refused favoritism. But Jesus goes further.
"I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10).
Jesus does not separate the household to exclude, but to expand it. Where the Levites separated the household to uphold the law, Christ breaks ties to uphold God's holiness.
Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus teaches a new way: a justice of inclusion without favoritism. In a world where laws often reflect bias, Christ offers a law that judges righteously, includes everyone, and transforms what it means to be holy and a member of God's household. Justice is impartial where everyone is included in the household of God.
From the Shadow of Favoritism to the Light of Holiness
Favoritism—whether in politics, law, or foreign policy—undermines justice at every level of society. In democracies and dictatorships alike, systems tilt toward the powerful, fueled by lobbying, legal inequality, and personal interests disguised as diplomacy. While watchdogs and civil society advocate for fairness, meaningful reform relies on political dedication and public duty to reject favoritism in favor of truth (Johnston).
This challenge is not new. Scripture has long confronted the tension between impartial justice and redemptive love. The Levites laid a foundation that upheld the law without favoritism—even at personal cost. Their obedience built a resilient society, but Christ brings clarity to their struggle. As 2 Nephi 9:48 and John 3:16 reveal, holiness is not earned—it is gifted. Christ does not abandon justice; he completes it by extending mercy to those outside of God's household. Jesus took on the punishment of sin, and because of his suffering, we now have an impartial judge.
The world mirrors this journey: from fractured systems built on partiality toward justice, unity, and holiness, rooted in truth. God's strength reaches everyone.
Works Cited
Freedom House. Freedom in the World 2024: The Growing Authoritarian Threat. Freedom House, 2024, https://freedomhouse.org/. Accessed 28 June 2025.
Johnston, Michael. Corruption, Contention, and Reform: The Power of Deep Democratization. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Miller, Jonathan, and Nadège Rolland. Foreign Influence and the Belt and Road Initiative: The Impact of China's Global Strategy. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2023, https://www.csis.org/. Accessed 28 June 2025.
Transparency International. Corruption Perceptions Index 2023. Transparency International, 2024, https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023. Accessed 28 June 2025.
