Mercy Wins Over Judgement

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Mercy Wins Over Judgement

James: “Living Out an Inside Faith”

“Mercy Wins Over Judgement”

Toni Kline: Congregational Care Pastor

James 2:1-13 Three Big Takeaways 

1. Avoid Favoritism, Partiality, Discrimination and Prejudice 

“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”

James 2:1-4 NIV

Definitions:

Favoritism - the unrighteous practice of treating some people better than others.

Partiality - the state of being biased toward one person/people group over another. 

Discrimination - the act of viewing others in categories rather than as individuals.

Prejudice - preconceived judgment or opinion.

2. Embrace the Royal Law of Love

“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, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.”

James 2:8-11 NIV

3. Embrace Mercy over Judgment

“Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.” 

James 2:12-13 MSG

“One Another” Scriptures

Unity. One third of the one-another commands deal with the unity of the church.

1. Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)

2. Don’t grumble among one another (Jn 6:43)

3. Be of the same mind with one another (Ro 12:16, 15:5)

4. Accept one another (Ro 15:7)

5. Gently, patiently tolerate one another (Ep 4:2)

6. Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another (Ep 4:32)

7. Bear with and forgive one another (Co 3:13)

8. Seek good for one another, and don’t repay evil for evil (1 Th 5:15)

9. Don’t complain against one another (Jas 4:11, 5:9)

10. Confess sins to one another (Jas 5:16)

Love. One third of them instruct Christians to love one another.

1. Love one another (Jn 13:34, 15:12, 17; Ro 13:8; 1 Th 3:12, 4:9; 1 Pe 1:22; 1 Jn 3:11, 4:7, 11; 2 Jn 5)

2. Through love, serve one another (Ga 5:13)

3. Tolerate one another in love (Ep 4:2)

4. Be devoted to one another in love (Ro 12:10)

Humility. About 15% stress an attitude of humility and deference among believers.

1. Give preference to one another in honor (Ro 12:10)

2. Regard one another as more important than yourselves (Php 2:3)

3. Serve one another (Ga 5:13)

4. Wash one another’s feet (Jn 13:14)

5. Be subject to one another (Ep 5:21)

6. Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another (1 Pe 5:5)

7. Pray for one another (James 5:16)