Sunday Service
JAMES: FAITH THAT WORKS
Royal Law and Royal Love - James 2:1-13
“The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales.” John Stott
Have you ever wondered what would happen to us if God were not impartial? We live in a day when special interests are constantly seeking preferential treatment for a particular group or from a particular group. Yet, so many people around the world suffer because of biased treatment given to some on the basis of their ethnic preference, gender bias, religious prejudice, or socio-economic class discrimination. Fortunately, James teaches us in this passage about God’s perfect impartiality that rises above any hint of favoritism.
Can we do this on our own? We can read the Mosaic Law, how can we learn the Royal Law? Only God is able to help us rise above our sinful preferences to become impartial in our dealings with others. It is the Lord’s impartiality that helps us become less judgmental, inclusive and merciful in our attitudes toward those who need Christ. James gives us a glimpse into the early church where bribes, corruption and favoritism were the rule of the day inside and outside of religious circles. Not so much different than today I am afraid.
Sunday I will try to take us past our preferences and over our bias and beyond any discrimination – to the Royal Law – whose crown is mercy.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Mike
Royal Law and Royal Love - James 2:1-13
“The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales.” John Stott
Have you ever wondered what would happen to us if God were not impartial? We live in a day when special interests are constantly seeking preferential treatment for a particular group or from a particular group. Yet, so many people around the world suffer because of biased treatment given to some on the basis of their ethnic preference, gender bias, religious prejudice, or socio-economic class discrimination. Fortunately, James teaches us in this passage about God’s perfect impartiality that rises above any hint of favoritism.
Can we do this on our own? We can read the Mosaic Law, how can we learn the Royal Law? Only God is able to help us rise above our sinful preferences to become impartial in our dealings with others. It is the Lord’s impartiality that helps us become less judgmental, inclusive and merciful in our attitudes toward those who need Christ. James gives us a glimpse into the early church where bribes, corruption and favoritism were the rule of the day inside and outside of religious circles. Not so much different than today I am afraid.
Sunday I will try to take us past our preferences and over our bias and beyond any discrimination – to the Royal Law – whose crown is mercy.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Mike