The Perfect Law of Liberty
(Mercy triumphs over judgment)
James, as a spiritual leader in the Jerusalem church, is writing to teach his people how to apply the really important principles of the Christian religion to their daily lives. As we begin the second chapter, it seems evident that he is having some problems with his people discriminating against those who are
poor. However, he doesn't stop there but expands his admonitions to strike at the heart of the discrimination problem. When we judge others as unworthy,
and condemn or disassociate ourselves from them, we do a number of things no Christian should do.
In the first place, we set up our own perceived standards as the rule by which all should be judged. This assumes that we are knowledgeable enough, and wise enough to know absolutely what is right. This is
never the case. My concepts of right and wrong must always be tentative. Only God is always right. I must walk by faith and not by sight, for I do not have perfect knowledge, and even my interpretation of God's will could be mistaken. That is why we must be saved by grace, for in our fallibility we are often off the mark.
In the second place, James is condemning the use of physical possessions, and positions of status, as criteria of judgment. Not man's standards but God's are the parameters by which our values should be set.
Finally, however, James says, in effect, none of these things would happen if we obeyed the "royal law". Here Paul and James are in perfect agreement. Paul, in Romans 13:8, says, "Owe no man anything except to love one another". James says, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". From the ensuing context, it is clear that James is talking about that all-encompassing feeling of wanting the best for every one of God's children, the good and the bad. It is the desire to soothe the broken-hearted, heal the hurts of those in pain, fill the needs of those who are hungry or sad. As Paul says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep". This love does not mean we have to like the person, nor be emotionally tied to him in some way. It just means we have to be sensitive to the tears of our fellow human beings, and ache to dry them because they are all loved of the Father.
It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of this concept. Jesus said upon this "hangs all the law and the prophets". Paul said it is the greatest, even greater than faith and hope. James says to violate it is to be guilty of violating the entire law of God. Why? Because if you have this desire for the welfare of your fellowman, you will never do him any harm. No lying, stealing, murder, etc., because those who love do not behave in negative ways to others.
James sums it up in verse 12: "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom". Do you hear what he is saying? He
says those who are Christ's are judged by God's mercy, not by His rules and regulations. I am forever thankful that I will be judged by no human court.
If all evidence was in, human courts would condemn all of us. God's grace and mercy are the only hope any of us have. This alone should stop any of us
from passing judgment on our fellowman. When the self-righteous, priding themselves on their religious correctness, pass judgment on the faith of
another, they commit the ultimate sin. Love never does this, for those who love, want, as Jesus wanted, none to be rejected, but all to be saved. Thus
James concludes this section with the magnificent words, "Mercy triumphs over
judgment"!
