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A LETTER FROM JAMES
Chapter 2 – part 2

By David Woodbury

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.10 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. 11 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. (James 2:8-11 - NLT)

Sin is sin
In his letter James seems to be entering a debate and can hear others rationalising their action by pointing it they are simply obeying the law and loving their neighbour. He is concerned about discrimination and rationalisation, which he no doubt simply sees as lying. Unfortunately many would see little problem with rationalisation but the reality is that humanity will always push the boundaries and it is, in the final analysis, deception and lying. He brands such actions as guilty of breaking the law. He wants to look behind the actions and excuses, and deeper at the motivation. After all, what is really important is the motivation of the heart.

One of the problems of humanity is that we want to cherry-pick which laws we will obey and which laws we will disregard, thinking if we obey the more serious ones we might get away with not bothering about those we see as being less important. It may well be that James’ readers felt they could bend the rules a bit regarding discrimination and it wouldn’t matter but James will have no part of it. 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. It is sin, no matter which law you break.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. (James 2:12-13 - NLT)

This matter of mercy
Christians have an inner, inbuilt monitor that ought to guide them and direct them in their behaviour, unlike the myriad of external Jewish laws which sought obedience from outside pressure. The Christian’s behaviour is governed and directed by love, both to God and all humanity. This inner law of love not only motivates the Christian, but it is also the standard of judgment.

At the end of the day, we are all sinful creatures, who need mercy and the teachings of Jesus are very clear and easily understood. Only as we extend forgiveness and mercy will we receive forgiveness and mercy. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7 - NLT) If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.(Matthew 6:14-15 NLT)

Just to make sure that we understand the principle of forgiveness and mercy Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant who, although he had been forgiven, refused to forgive another. The unforgiving servant is thrown into jail and punished and Jesus concludes the parable with these grim words: That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart. (Matthew 18:35 -  NLT) Only those who show mercy will find mercy.

Prayer:
Father, help us to understand the depth of your forgiveness, mercy and grace, that we, having experienced it, may be willing to extend it freely to others.

Keep uppermost in our hearts and minds, that God in His grace came to die in my place, and that the freedom, love and grace I now experience came at a great price. Help me to ever remember and recall that I'm redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Keep me from judging others harshly and help me see them through the eyes of Jesus, ever remembering that I am free and released from all fears, free to be His own child constantly, and so are they.

May my heart be saturated with the love and compassion of Jesus.

Hear my prayer in Jesus name.

Amen

Video meditation: Love’s ransom is paid
https://youtu.be/aLw0HfDYmKM


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