Good morning,
This week we continue our study of the book of James.
Chapter two explains how to deal with people, the law, faith, and works.
The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.
James 2
2. The Law v 10-13
Keeping the law v 10-11
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
Judgment and mercy v 12-13
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
“In fact, James writes, to favor the rich over the poor is a sin. It is breaking the command to love your neighbor as yourself. And since breaking any command makes one a lawbreaker, showing favoritism to the wealthy is as much a breaking of the moral laws of God as murder or adultery. We all stand in need of God’s mercy, therefore we should speak and act as people who honestly believe they will be judged by the law that brings freedom. Christians are obligated to be merciful to everyone.”
(Bible Ref.com, What does James chapter 2 mean?)
The law was impossible to keep. If the standard for salvation was the law, no one would be saved. Grace through faith is God’s plan. Before Jesus death, burial, and resurrection, it was still by faith in God.
God has shown mankind His mercy throughout every dispensation of history.
We as believers now should be showing God’s mercy to others.
Are we?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Leave a Reply