Romans 2:11

For God does not show favoritism.

(v11, NIV)

This verse is plain and simple. God does not show favoritism. There is no partiality with God. God will judge and deal out what is deserved. He's not going to look at you and judge you differently because you had a funny hat that made him smile. Rather, you get what you deserve according to what you've done and what is justly due.

They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.

(Matthew 22:16, NIV)

What this also means is that God is not swayed by the apparent face a person is displaying. So if a person were to plead desperately with sorrowful emotion that they regret their actions, God would not be swayed by their performance. Rather, God would be able to see straight to their heart to see how they really feel. One way we see this is in the way Jesus conducted himself. These people approached Jesus and mentioned how he wasn't swayed by men and pay no attention to who they are. When Jesus saw someone, it didn't matter whether they were rich or poor. He saw straight through to their heart regardless of their outward appearance or status.

If God is impartial, how is it that some are saved? We're all sinners and deserve to die. It does seem a bit unfair that those deserving of death receive eternal life. However, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith is credited as righteousness. We receive Jesus' imputed righteousness upon us. In God's judgment, it is rightly satisfied through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. His judgment remains impartial. God shows no favoritism.