A Lesson on Mercy

Last week we discussed the hard topic of showing partiality toward those who fit our “perfect” mold of what a Christian should be. We were reminded that we are all made in the image of God, and as such it is Jesus who is the bridge between everyone. James continues on with this idea in James 2:8-13.

“8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

As we touched on last week, we only believe as much of the word of God as what we act out. So, if we treat others with preferential treatment, then we believe that God will do the same. This idea would imply that what is stated in John 3:16 is a lie, “16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” God loved the world, not individual people but everyone. It is why James points out that we must love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus makes it clear who our neighbor is in Luke 10:25-37,

“25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””

And so, we see that the response the expert in the law gave in verse thirty-seven becomes the theme for the second half of James chapter 2. Our neighbor is anyone around us, to love them as we would love ourselves is to care for them and help out. If we are to live out God’s royal law, we must show those around us mercy.

This relates to the sin of partiality because if we are giving some individuals preferential treatment we are not showing the mercy of God. This does not mean that we need to have the same social interaction with everyone, let’s face it there are some fellow believers that we will get along with better simply because of shared interests. This aspect is not showing partiality. We show partiality and lack mercy towards others when we stop seeing others as individuals who Christ died for, just like He died for us. Christian love is treating others the way that Christ has treated us, and our actions towards others should be to glorify God. For the fellow believer in your life that you simply have no commonality with; you love because it is Christ who saved you both. For the nonbeliever in your life, remember you were once considered an enemy to God but He still loved you enough to go to the cross. Christ loves that individual as well so use your actions to point them to Christ.

I want to point out that this does not mean that we allow others to continue to sin, Jesus points out sin in the lives of those around Him and we should do the same. What this means is that we need to remember that we are all seen as equal in God’s eyes, that means equal in sin. The idea of “I don’t condemn anyone, so God won’t condemn me” is a false belief. We need to behave as Christ did. That means we first must acknowledge the sin in our own lives and then show others that they have sin as well. To truly love someone would be to tell them to stop sinning and come to know Jesus for He is the only salvation, the only one who can look past our sin because of His actions impartially done for all. God’s judgement is no longer on those who place their faith in Him, John 5:24 and Romans 8:1 point this out.

God does not ask us to do something that He is not willing to do. We have two examples where God shows that He does not show partiality to His children, even when they are not wanting to currently follow His will. First, I ask that you consider Jonah, he was tasked by God to call the town of Nineveh to repentance. Jonah knew God’s character to forgive, but he hated those in the Nineveh so much that he ran away from God’s will. However, God still ensured that Jonah made it to Nineveh. Jonah fulfilled God’s desire to call the town to repentance but still stubbornly sat on the hill waiting for God to destroy the town. To say that Jonah did not show mercy is an understatement, however, God’s mercy stepped in. God heard the cries of repentance from those in the town and forgave them, He even provided shade for the stubborn man. Despite Jonah being angry with God for showing His mercy, God still cared for him.

The second example God gives of not showing partiality with His children is with Paul. While yes he was a murderer and sinner before, Paul had repented and followed the Lord. Some might hold the past over Paul, but God doesn’t. In fact He does not show any partiality against Paul from the other Apostles at all. God uses Paul in amazing ways, including helping to build the very church Paul attempted to kill before. Now imagine being a Christian during the early years and seeing how God was now using Paul. God didn’t show partiality, and neither should we. God shows mercy, so should we. This does not mean we are to accept all acts people do, but on the contrary we should aim to be like Christ and not show partiality as James describes. We should be loving to all, wise in every situation and be willing to act as directed by the word of God. When Christians do this, we will be like James and not show partiality in the Church, we will be loving, kind, and spirit filled; wanting to help build and bring the Church to what Christ intended it to be.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex