THE LAW OF MERCY
James gives a better way than the Law of Moses.
The law of liberty
“So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:12-13
We cannot keep the Law of Moses fully. The Law of Moses cannot set us free from the law of sin and death. But God has given us a law that can set us free.
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
The law of the Spirit of life is the law of liberty. Through the Spirit we can be free from sin in order to fulfill the Law.
“…in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:4
This is what Jesus had promised.
“…If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The freedom to do good does not come from the Law, but from following Jesus.
This freedom is to be used for others.
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Freedom from sin makes new things possible. We will not be judged by the Law of Moses, but by the law of freedom. (The Greek word translated “free” or freedom” in other places is the same word translated as “liberty” in James.) If we are able to do new things, then we can be judged for what we chose.
We as believers will be judged.
- “…For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Romans 14:10
- “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
- II Corinthians 5:10
- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Revelation 22:12
But Christ will judge us by His perfect law, the law of liberty. He gave us a new commandment that sums up the law of liberty – Jesus gave us the freedom and power to love, something the law of Moses could not give us.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34
It is in this commandment that we will be judged, and receive our inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
“For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You in prison, and come to You?
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:35-40
Judgment is based on what has been given.
“…And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48
Mercy
Freedom makes mercy more important than law, for we are responsible for more.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7
We should speak and act as those who will need mercy in the day of judgment. Our acts of mercy will speak out against the demand for judgment in that day. If we have shown no mercy in this life, judgment will be also without mercy. We will need mercy.
Compassion and mercy are rewarded.
“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you he shall not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42
As we look intently at the law of liberty, we do not see rules but responsibility for others.
We will not be judged for sins, but for what we have done. The works of compassion and mercy will stand in the judgment.
“Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.” I Corinthians 3:12-15
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
“… so speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty … mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:12-13
Mercy instead of judgment
When Israel made the golden calf, God told Moses what they had done. He told Moses to let Him alone that He might destroy them. But Moses interceded for them on the mountain. When Moses came down from the mountain and saw the golden calf, He broke the tablets written by the finger of God. In anger Moses broke the Law; he broke what God gave him. Even though he already knew what they had done, and he held in his hands the Law written by God Himself, Moses threw away the tablets. Moses destroyed the golden calf; he called for Israel to rid themselves of those who had worshiped it. Moses acted in anger, destroying the tablets, the golden calf, and some of those who had worshiped it.
But the next day, he returned to ask God to forgive them. He went back, not only to ask God to forgive, but also to see His glory. God listened to Moses, showing him His glory, and replacing the tablets that Moses had broken in anger. God did not deal with Moses with judgment but with mercy. Moses had mercy on the people; God had mercy on Moses. In the time that the Law of Moses is being given, Moses needed mercy. Mercy triumphed over judgment.
Greg Whitten-James
