Sunday 18 September 2016

The Royal Law

The Royal Law
James writes,
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:8-13.
Sadly I see and hear many Christians who judge and in whom mercy is not seen.
Jesus tells us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”Matthew 7:1,2.
The apostle Paul writes,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
The way I see it we as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church. We can judge those inside the church to ensure that they are teaching sound doctrine but that is as far as it goes.
We as Christians have no right to judge others because we do not know what is in their hearts and minds. We do not know why they are the way they are. Only God know that.
Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all people. He did not tell us to judge anyone. Which sadly too many Christians do.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
We as Christians MUST! remember this.
A great light is held upon the Christian. The eternal resting place of those we come in contact with may rest upon our actions. We cannot take our actions and our faith lightly.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
The writer of Hebrews tell us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Please think about it.

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