September 13, 2021 (Monday)
Last time I promised a twist. Reading, understanding, and applying
the lesson’s James teaches requires emotional intelligence. In other words
there is a high ability to manage emotions and emotional responses. This will
in turn help us to adjust to our changing environment and guide our behavior.
In the first part of James 2, we are told not to give
special treatment to others due to economic status. I think we can stretch that
into a principle and understand when we treat some differently than others, we
need to make a serious examination of our motives. James then challenges us
with the fact that favoritism is a sin. “But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and
by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker.” [James 2:9 CEB]
This runs contrary to culture. Jesus condemned those who
would insist on being treated special (see John 12:43 and Matthew 23:6). James condemns
those who give special treatment to those we think would should have it.
Awkward. The TWIST comes from James’ appeal to the law.
Here it is… “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as
guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” [James 2:10 NLT] In other words, a person can be
flawless, sinless, and generally without guilt but if they break ONE point,
they have broken the WHOLE law. See, the law had only one result for sin:
death. Didn’t matter which sin, “big of small” (in our thinking), the result
was the same: death. James uses murder and adultery as examples.
While we would *NEVER* murder, would we gossip? Paul lists
them, literally in the same breath (see Romans 1:29) as deserving death (see
Romans 1:32). By condemning murder but gossiping or showing favoritism we put ourselves
in a box (think coffin). So, the law is a coffin we cannot avoid since there is
always that one thing that condemns us, that one thing that stands between us
and God, that one thing that will always insure that we fall short of the Glory
of God. Flawless sinlessness in this life is impossible.
James shows us the way to deal with our helplessness against
the condemnation of the law, due to sin. “So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you
will be judged by the law that sets you free.” [James 2:12 NLT] There are two spiritual laws at work
in this world: 1.) the law of sin and death 2.) the law of the Spirit of life
(see Romans 8:2).
James 2:13 tells us what this looks like, “For judgment is
without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” [ESV] God wants to show mercy to us. The thing that
stands in the way of God’s mercy is our own attitude toward others.
When Jesus was warning us to not judge and condemn, He was
clear that we should forgive. This is emphasized when Jesus explains, “Give, and it will
be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running
over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be
measured to you.” [Luke 6:38 NIV]
I don’t want to judge by appearances. I don’t want to judge
from my perspective. I don’t want to judge based on my limited knowledge. I don’t
want to judge based on my biases. It’s something I have to check every time
something triggers my desire to judge. It’s painful, at least when I’m being
honest with myself.
The reality is when someone judges another, we are
attempting to take God’s place. That my friends is a terrible place to be.
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