Mercy and the Law
“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.
I write this to Christians particularly to Christians here in North America where I live.
Here in North America I see many Christians in the media and out, showing favouritism. They may not see it as that but it is.
Where I see it is when Christians pick on various groups because of their faith or lifestyle. They treat these people as if they have a special sin.
As Christians we cannot afford to point out the sins of the world. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, not ours. Our job is to extend the hand of friendship and love to those around us.
Sadly way too many people have been turned away from the saving grace of Christ because of the “holier than thou” attitude of some Christians.
We have no right to judge those outside the Church of Christ or to impose our moral values on them. 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.
Even while in Athens one of the great cultural centres of the ancient world. A city filled with temples to every conceivable God. A place that would have embraced many practices Paul would have been opposed to, Paul did not speak out against anything.
Paul simply presented the Gospel of Christ to those around and as a result we know there were souls won for Christ.
We as Christian cannot afford to show favouritism toward anyone, especially those outside the Church.
Christians must be aware that their actions can and will have eternal consequences on people.
There is a quote from the Talmud that I like. I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired work by Christians. Never the less it still contains many ideas that have Christian concepts. The following is one I particularly think just might happen.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
It to me seems a logical question God would ask. God asking us to give an honest appraisal of our life and conduct in this world.
Look at what James said in the above quoted scripture,
“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.”
It would seem logical that God would want to know from our own lips if we felt that we treated all men equally and loved our neighbour as loved our self.
Question: When you stand before God will you be able to honestly to say you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?
Think about it.
“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.
I write this to Christians particularly to Christians here in North America where I live.
Here in North America I see many Christians in the media and out, showing favouritism. They may not see it as that but it is.
Where I see it is when Christians pick on various groups because of their faith or lifestyle. They treat these people as if they have a special sin.
As Christians we cannot afford to point out the sins of the world. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, not ours. Our job is to extend the hand of friendship and love to those around us.
Sadly way too many people have been turned away from the saving grace of Christ because of the “holier than thou” attitude of some Christians.
We have no right to judge those outside the Church of Christ or to impose our moral values on them. 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.
Even while in Athens one of the great cultural centres of the ancient world. A city filled with temples to every conceivable God. A place that would have embraced many practices Paul would have been opposed to, Paul did not speak out against anything.
Paul simply presented the Gospel of Christ to those around and as a result we know there were souls won for Christ.
We as Christian cannot afford to show favouritism toward anyone, especially those outside the Church.
Christians must be aware that their actions can and will have eternal consequences on people.
There is a quote from the Talmud that I like. I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired work by Christians. Never the less it still contains many ideas that have Christian concepts. The following is one I particularly think just might happen.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
It to me seems a logical question God would ask. God asking us to give an honest appraisal of our life and conduct in this world.
Look at what James said in the above quoted scripture,
“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.”
It would seem logical that God would want to know from our own lips if we felt that we treated all men equally and loved our neighbour as loved our self.
Question: When you stand before God will you be able to honestly to say you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?
Think about it.
