Do Justice
Love Mercy

Do Justice Love Mercy. James 2 continues his thoughts on avoiding partiality by reminding us of the royal law of love. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:8-13, ESV

Do Justice Love Mercy. James 2 continues his thoughts on avoiding partiality by reminding us of the royal law of love. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Do Justice Love Mercy - Royal Law of Love

As we continue in chapter 2 of the book of James, James compares loving your neighbor with the sin of partiality.

Is showing partiality that big of a deal? Yes! Just as in the New Testament time, showing partiality was a real problem. Do we show partiality today? Yes we do. The real problem comes in when we show partiality in our churches and in our relationship with others in the world such as our neighbors.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, but do we tamper that love with partiality? If we live next to someone who is rich and successful, how quickly do we invite them to become part of our church? However, what happens if our neighbor is poor?

Yet, what did Jesus do when He was on this earth? The rich and famous of that day, especially in the church, were the Pharisees. How often were they offended when Jesus associated with the lower class of people or did not follow their traditions? What did Jesus say about the Pharisees?

42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

Luke 11:42-44, ESV

Why did Jesus pronounce woe upon the Pharisees? He pronounced woe because they neglected justice and the love of God while preferring the best seat in the synagogue. Jesus said they were like unmarked graves!

Do Justice Love Mercy - Obey the Law of God

James continues by telling us that showing partiality is a sin? Is that a big deal? Indeed it is. As a matter of fact, James tells us that if we break one law we are guilty of all.

11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.

James 2:11-12, ESV

What is James telling us in verse 12? Speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. Can we obey the Old Testament law perfectly? No! Romans 3:23 tells us: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we have liberty and salvation. Though we sin, we fall before Christ who has died for our sins. Christ introduced the law of liberty--a way of being able to come to God.

God does not see us based upon how much money we have, how famous we are, or how powerful we are in this world. God looks upon the heart. We are not to judge people based upon how they appear in this world. We are to love them and point them to Christ no matter what their social status may be.

Do Justice Love Mercy - Mercy Triumphs over Judgment

James concludes this section with a very profound statement. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What is James saying? Love your neighbor without judgment. Show mercy to your neighbor just as God shows mercy to you, in other words,

Can any of us stand before God just as we are? No! Our sins separate us from God. How was that gap between God and us repaired? Jesus Christ died for our sins and when we fall before Christ and cry out to Him for salvation, God shows mercy upon us. Instead of seeing our sin, He sees the righteousness of Christ in us.

Do Justice Love Mercy - Conclusion

How amazing is that? Thank God that mercy triumphs over judgment. The judgment we deserve has been trumped by the mercy of God.

Let us pray that God would give us hearts that love our neighbors without showing judgment or partiality. Let us see them as a soul that needs Christ, and if they are believers let us love them as God loves them. May we do justice love mercy.

In Christ, God shows us love and mercy without judging our status on this earth. Now that should put joy in your heart and gladness in your steps!

God Bless You,

Linda