Dealing with a stroke can be maddening. Especially when the left leg gets crazy.
Today I have to dig back into my daily. I missed yesterday so I have to get back on track.
I talked about the first section of this meaty mastery from James in regards to favoritism. Today I’m taking on the rest of this section. Here James talks about a theme that I love repeating to elementary students the world round. Whenever we’re going somewhere a line must be formed to transport in order and general silence. Kids are hilariously focused on being first in line for no other purpose than being that solo person at the head of the line.
Why this is beats me, but as a kid it made total sense. And yet, I take them to task each time repeating the time honored bible lesson, “The First will be last and the last will be first.” After I mention and talk about the meaning, the children generally scramble to be at the end of the line. If not applied correctly and taught with a smart foundation you end up with a whole ‘nother line contest.
To whit: Verses 5-7. See ‘em below.
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
And so once again, this lesson is taught in another manner. God chose a poor carpenter to bring His Son into the world. The stories told throughout the New Testament by Jesus are always referencing the poor and how great it is to be numbered among them. How faith is grown. How trust in their Lord is found. How love, mercy, patience, peace and understanding are so much more nurtured in those that are humble and meek. The poor are to be our model James seems to say. And I would probably agree with him.
James also brings to bear the universal law, seen below. James also points out that breaking one law is taking a sledgehammer to each and every other one. It’s all or nothing. The same is true of sin. Each sin has the same value from one end to the other. It’s still a sin and must be addressed.
The last line is what I talked about yesterday. “Mercy triumphs over judgment!”. Judgment is not to be made by the human kind of the world. God’s got that one pretty well handled. Our job? Mercy. Grace. Love. With those talents and skills we can, through God, make this world a better place. Maybe even bring salvation to the nations, as the Lord commanded in, you guessed it, “The Great Commission”.
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “Do not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
In all, James brings some great heat to the hearts of the people of his time…but also brings it to us here in 2008. We’ve got a long way to go…but we’re on our way. With God…ain’t nothing gonna stop us. God is good. All. The. Time.
Until tomorrow.
