Friday, September 23, 2011

12 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.
James 2:12-13

James tells us to behave in the way someone would be have who will be judged by “the law of liberty.”  Why is he calling it the “law of liberty”?  We have the law, and if we break God’s law we know there will be consequences.  That being said, if I only keep the law because I fear consequences, I’m not really growing into maturity.  We need to get to the place where we keep the law because we get to keep it.  God has given us wisdom in the law and how to live and what to do.  God’s law brings life when it is kept.  God’s law is also liberty, because I know that I’m saved apart from it.  I don’t have to keep it to be saved, I get to keep it once I am saved.
Also, James says that we should reflect the mercy and grace that has been given to us by God to those around us.  The person that demonstrates mercy shows that they are ready to be judged themselves, because they understand the mercy that they have been given.

Application:
People that do not show mercy have a “you owe me” kind of attitude.  Is there someone in your life that you feel “owes you” for something?  Do you find yourself having imaginary conversations with them where you tell them how wrong they are?  Don’t carry that any more.  Release them from that debt.  Forgive them!  Maybe today you should make a phone call, make a visit, or write a note to that person asking for and giving them forgiveness.