For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:13
In 1813, English author Jane Austen published her second novel, Pride and Prejudice. Her story of the characters Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy involved the manners of the day, judgments, indignities, personal successes and failures, social class, and wealth. Miss Austen explored the problems of first impressions as well as the dangers of social pressure. In his review of the novel, author Chad Jones writes, “The characters in this novel teach us about the importance of respect, forgiveness, and learning from our mistakes… It is a story about growing up and learning the value of those things that are most important in life.”
Pastor Mark Hiehle says, “In our society today, we like to think of ourselves as being open and fair. We pride ourselves in believing that we look past externals and avoid making personal judgments of others. Unfortunately, this is often not true, even in the church.” Too many Christians in churches today are guilty of both pride and prejudice. Today’s verse concludes a passage in James 2 that cautions about showing favoritism of one person over another. Such attitudes are contrary to the character of God, who does not show partiality and is always sincere (James 3:17).
Pastor and author Dr. George Stulac summarized this message, saying, “Don’t think you are keeping the law of Christ while you are practicing favoritism. It is as much a contradiction as if you claimed you were keeping the law just because you were not committing adultery even though you were practicing murder. James’s language is stark and emphatic in James 2:9: If you show favoritism, you sin.” Sin is sin in the eyes of your righteous God, regardless of the human inclination to rank some worse than others. Every sin is derived from “all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world“ (1 John 2:16).
Jesus has commanded that you love one another. This love shows mercy and compassion, discarding favoritism. James states in today’s verse that the unmerciful will not receive mercy. Theologian Kent Hughes says, “Favoritism is evidence of an unmerciful spirit.” Yet this apostle is quick to remind you that God is merciful, and that His mercy will ultimately triumph, just as love triumphs over prejudice.
Ask the Lord today to reveal any pride or prejudices that are hindering you from being merciful to others. Ask God to fill your heart and mind with His sincere compassion and impartiality so that you are a faithful vessel of His love and grace.
Today’s Verse: James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 2:8-13
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
