James 2:1-13
Mercy triumphs over judgment. (v. 13) Because this is true we have hope of eternal life. Without mercy we are damned to hell because we, ourselves, can never pay the debt for the sins we have committed. Period.
I mentioned two days ago about James’ discussions of the rich and the poor. Here we have it played out in today’s first seven verses. Yet as a society we do tend to honor the rich and powerful. And it’s not just our American society. Carol and I have seen it firsthand when we lived in Slovakia in 04/05 and again in 09/10. Even though we were living and working among them (and were not just tourists) we were always treated with extreme graciousness, much more than our positions warranted. And I’m sure Debbie saw the same thing in Uganda last summer. Yes, she was an emissary for St. Andrew’s, and St. Andrew’s has been supporting them with thousands of dollars a year since 2004. Still, I daresay, Debbie and Julie were also treated with extreme graciousness – the best seats, the best food, the warmest welcomes. No doubt, knowing Debbie and Julie, they deserved it!! Again, still, the point is made, we honor the rich among us.
But let me back off that position a bit and look at another side of St. Andrew’s – Avanza! Here we find ourselves, probably more than 50 volunteers in the past seven years, serving the poor among us. It’s a small thing and we wish it could be bigger, wishing that we could get more to church on Sundays. But it’s St. Andrew’s reaching out in some small way – and with other ministries too.
Verse 13a: For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.
Slava Bohu!
Yes, we were feted, with parades, palm leaves, etc. Ruth our leader taught us always to say, “We are honored by your warmth,” etc. The church leaders there, like Eric. are very humble.
We must love both rich and poor as fellow humans, not by income level high or low. The big barrier for those with a “good life” is pride (I did this myself), for those with hardship it’s bitterness (why me?). We all need to lean into God.
Our lack of forgiveness indicates that we don’t understand and/or appreciate the depth of God’s mercy to us.