Thought for Monday, 17 July 2023

James 2:12-13

So whenever you speak, or whatever you do,

remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free.  For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others.  But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy towards you will win out over his judgement against you. 

The thought of judgement in a Christian context is one that many of us are inclined to shut our eyes and ears to in the forlorn hope that it might just go away.  I guess that its only if we have an objective and honest view of how we conduct ourselves based on what we are taught in the scriptures, then we will certainly realise that we all fall far short and behave towards others at times in ways that Jesus would not approve of. 

We are allowed to challenge others when they are not being witnesses of Christ in their actions, but the way we talk to or address them should always be loving, wholesome and in their best interest, as opposed to an aggressive manner. 

We are allowed to call out others, but not if we too are practicing those same sins without repentance; if we are hypocrites, we will be judged by the same unfair standard that we applied in judging other people.  We need to have the self-awareness to recognise and work on our own flaws and shortcomings before we try to convince others to work on theirs. Hypocrisy will only draw others farther away from God; admitting your mistakes will allow them to see that they are loved and accepted despite their sins. 

I love how the Apostle James puts it when he calls the rules we are asked to live by ‘the law of love’.  Jesus asked us to love others and to love each other as he loved us.  If we cannot show love and forgiveness (when it is necessary) to others, how can we possibly expect our heavenly father to show that same forgiveness towards us.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving mercy toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  As we go about our days in this world that is full of so many judgemental attitudes and actions, may we show forth your love and mercy to those around us so that they would see Christ in us, to your praise and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.