James 2:12-13: Mercy Rejoiceth Against Judgment
2024-06-29
James 2:12
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12)
Concerning not having partiality and serving the poor in the previous verses, it is worth considering how we respond to others. This is not just because it is right to do, but also that we must give an answer for what we say and do. Whatever we say and do in this life has future consequences. Consider what the Lord says in the following:
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Luke 12:1-3)
Hypocrisy is something that will be revealed. But it also says, “there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed.” Surely, how we treat others is included in this. It is hypocrisy to be in the religion of Christ, who loved and served all, and then not be like Him. We must ask the Lord to reveal more of Himself to us.
Again, we read, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The context is being offered food that someone specifically tells you was sacrificed to idols. To not offend, you would not eat it. This is love for other people so that they would not be offended in the faith. But herein is the simple truth: Every minute detail of your life must be done to glorify God. Whatever we say and do, we do it with the day we see Jesus face to face in mind.
When discussing James 1:25, we saw how this Law of Liberty is the Lord Himself. He will be the one judging us. This is called the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Any judgment that we receive for this life will take place there. This is why it is so important to walk with the Lord and rely on His Spirit now, knowing the terror of the Lord.
James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. (James 2:13)
Having grown up with Jesus and being a part of His family according to the flesh, James likely heard much of Jesus’ teaching, even as an unbeliever. Perhaps he was even there at the Sermon on the Mount. Many of those teachings seem to appear in this letter. This is one of them.
At that famous sermon, the Lord says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2). However you judge now, you will be judged in that Day.
The context of “judging” here is condemnation to push someone down, not to tell someone they are wrong or have sinned. We must do that. Hypocrisy, as we saw in the last verse, will be exposed, if not in this life, then in that Day at the Judgment Seat.
Mercy is key in the Gospel. We receive mercy from God, and then we show that same mercy to other people. People don’t deserve mercy; we give it anyway. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).
Consider Matthew 9:10-13. While the religionists would have nothing to do with those who had lived sinful lifestyles, Jesus reached out to them in mercy. The Pharisees did all the ritual of the law. They were self-righteous. But having mercy on those who were out of the way is more important than the rituals. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23-24).
We all need God’s mercy, including these Pharisees, but some of us are more aware of it than others. Consider Luke 7:40-48. This is Mary, Lazarus’ sister. She must have had some serious sin in her past, and the community knew it. But she knew it even better, which is why she appreciated the Lord so much. Simon did not know the depths of his sin nearly as much, and his lack of service showed.
How about in the Beatitudes, also preached on the Sermon on the Mount, where the Lord says, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). People that receive mercy from the Lord understand better how to show mercy.
When the Lord was asked for mercy, He showed it.
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. (Matthew 9:27)
And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. (Matthew 15:22)
Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. (Matthew 17:15)
As we abide in Christ, His merciful character comes out in us. We cannot show that kind of mercy. It only comes “from above.” Mercy will show up again in James 3:17; 5:11.
There is one time when the Lord does not show mercy. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:24).