James 2:12-13 WEL So speak and act as those who will be judged under the law of liberty 13 For the judgment [is] without mercy to those who have shown no mercy, and [the law of liberty] exults mercy over judgment.
Law of Liberty=
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See James 1:25 WEL But whoever looks at the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, is not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work. This one will be blessed for what he does.
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This is not the law of death (the Old Testament law Romans 7:5, Romans 7:13, Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:56). It is the Law of Christ for Christians. The Lord Jesus perfectly fulfilled and was obedient to the Old Testament law. It is obsolete for Christians; we do not have to follow it anymore (Hebrews 8:13 NIV By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear).
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Matthew 11:29-30 NLT Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
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There are over 1,000 rules in the New Testament for Christians. Here are a few: 1 Thessalonians 4. I do not know much about this site, but it does list the over 1,000 rules in the New Testament. Please remember that this is from Dake’s Bible and Finis Dake has some very problematic interpretations. So, beware!
Judgment=
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The Greek word is κρίνω krínō. It means to decide and make a decision in various uses.
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So, it is translated separate, prefer, opinion, determine, judge (pronounce judgment), etc.
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Here, what we say and do will be judged by the perfect Law of Liberty. All of God’s decisions are based on love and wisdom.
Without mercy=
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Mercy doesn’t mean to tolerate anything, no discipline, no rebuke, or to accept whatever a person does is to be tolerated and not judged. Consider,
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We must forgive others (Matthew 6:15).
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Yet, there may be punishment. See 1 Kings 2:36-46 concerning King Solomon and Shimei.
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Showing the wrong kind of mercy, may lead to snares to sin and abandon God and His ways (Deuteronomy 7:16).
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Some things deserve punishment. We must respect that (Deuteronomy 13:1-11).
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2 Corinthians 6:14-18 shows there is to be separation from evil.
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Ephesians 5:1-7 shows not to be partners with those who refuse to repent.
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1 Corinthians 15:32-34 GW If I have fought with wild animals in Ephesus, what have I gained according to the way people look at things? If the dead are not raised, “Let’s eat and drink because tomorrow we’re going to die!” 33 Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. 34 Come back to the right point of view, and stop sinning. Some people don’t know anything about God. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
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Mercy over judgment=
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Sometimes God shows no mercy: Psalms 59:5 GNB Rise, LORD God Almighty, and come to my aid; see for yourself, God of Israel! Wake up and punish the heathen; show no mercy to evil traitors!
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God gives mercy when the conditions are met: Ezekiel 3:19 NLT If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.
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An Example of those who met God’s conditions and received mercy and those who refuse to repent: Matthew 12:41 NLT The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.
Summary= There is a Christian lifestyle and worldview. We are to live in God’s kingdom, so we must live and think that way. This includes what we say and what we do.
Questions
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What is the perfect Law of Liberty?
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When should we show mercy, and when should we not?
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What is God’s standard that He judges by?
Posted by Choco in 2019 at 08:01
Labels: Christian freedom, God’s law, James, Law of mercy, Mercy