July 21
James
2: 12: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of
liberty. 13: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no
mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
When another commits some grievous sin, the
dilemma the believer faces is how to be gracious and show mercy without giving
the impression that God approves of their sin. Self-righteousness can creep
into us before we know it. Then it does not matter what we say to another, it
will only come across as holier than thou. If we show respect to those who are
rich in good works, but neglect mercy to those poor in sin, then “we commit
sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
The believer would do well to always first go to Christ our Wisdom for
understanding and grace to “restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Gal 6: 1-2) Remember, we were guilty in
sin. Furthermore, in ourselves, we have
not kept the commandments of God to this day! It is only by God’s mercy, for the sake of
Christ who fulfilled the law for us, that right this minute, God rejoices in mercy
toward us rather than judgment.
Therefore, how shall we who rest in Christ be judged? We shall be judged
by “the law of liberty.” It is because though
we were the poorest, vilest enemies, guilty of transgression against God yet Christ
showed us mercy. How? Not by respecting our persons or by condemning us in
judgment but by laying down his life for us. Doing so, Christ satisfied the justice of God,
making us the righteousness of God in him.
Then when Christ made known to us our sin, did Christ condemn us and
leave us? No, after making our sin known
to us, through the efficacy of his precious blood, Christ revealed what he had
done for us, restoring us in his great mercy and grace. By this gracious, wise working, our Savior
constrains us by his great love every day to rejoice in mercy toward poor
sinners like us, rather than judgment.
These same two essential components which Christ showed us are always involved
in "rejoicing in mercy rather than judgment." If we condemn the poor
sinner while rejoicing in those who have not sinned in such an obvious manner, we
only "rejoice in judgment." God hates that condemning, Pharisaical
spirit and respect of persons (Is 65: 5) To "rejoice in mercy rather than
judgment" is to first use the scriptures (not our word) to show how God
condemns all sin in every sinner. That
is what Christ first did for us through the preaching of the gospel. Then, secondly, use the scriptures to show how
Christ put away sin for his people, making justice and mercy kiss in harmony
for those who believe on Christ. That, too,
is what Christ did for us through the preaching of the gospel. It is good to always stay acquainted with the
blood so that the self-righteous flailing whip of the law and that evil respect
of persons might be destroyed in our hearts.
Therefore, when we behold one poor in sin, let us lay down our life, our
thoughts, our judgments, at the feet of Christ so that Christ might have the
glory. The best way to show mercy to
poor sinners is to invite them to hear Christ preach through his preacher for only
Christ can work grace in the heart. If they come, treat them just as we would
that one Christ has already enriched by his grace for how can we that see
something of the value of that precious blood do anything but rejoice in mercy
rather than judgment!