James 2:10-17

10: For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 
11: For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 
12: So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
13: For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

14: What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 
15: If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16: and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17: Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

***   

James pointed out that if you break one point of the law, you’re guilty of all of it. You’ve become a lawbreaker no matter which point of the law you’ve broken. He quoted two commandments from the Law of Moses (Exodus 20:13-14) as an example. God, who said don’t commit adultery, also said don’t commit murder. If you keep one commandment but not the other, you’re still a lawbreaker and you still suffer judgement for breaking the law.

Now, under the new covenant, we are judged by the law of liberty (James 1:25). We are to speak and behave according to that law. This is the Gospel of Christ, the law of love, which does more than address outward behavior. It deals with inward motivation and inclinations. This law frees us from the curse of the Law through the mercy of God. We are now free to extend that mercy toward others--to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). For one who doesn’t practice this mercy, the judgment will be merciless.

Jesus said blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7). Which is really what James says here in another way—merciless judgment will be on the one who doesn’t show mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Judgement is what we all deserve, but mercy gives one victory over it.

James further explained that if a man confesses faith in Christ, yet his actions do not agree with the law of liberty and mercy, is his faith useful? Can his faith save even him? He gave the example of a brother or sister in need. If one just speaks words of faith to them but does not do what he can to meet their need, did his faith give life to them? Faith without action to go along with it is useless.

Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40. When we give someone food, drink, clothing, or visit them when they’re alone, sick, or in prison, it's as if we’ve done these things for Him. These are the actions of the righteous, and they will receive a righteous reward.


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