In the sermon at ICCJ on June 22, I delivered a teaching which is a continuation of the series on the book of James, focusing on chapter 2, verses 1-13. This passage deals with favoratism, ties it in with the Royal Law of Scripture which is to "love your neighbor as yourself", goes on to point out that the sin of favoratism/discrimination is equivalant to adultery or murder and then wraps up with the truth found in the above scripture verses 12-13 that Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement. An interesting and brilliant progression of concepts which takes time and study to understand.
But today I want to focus on the ending idea that Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment. James encourages us to speak and act as those who are going to be judged. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 12:35-37 (NIV) "35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
The day of judgement will include a separation from those who have been qualified by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior over their lives to receive eternal life, from those who will spend eternity in hell. It will further involve a judgement of those who are heaven bound and there will be a determination of rewards. And so we as Christ Followers need to be mindful that every word that we speak will count as evidence, one way or the other on the day of judgment.
James further elaborates that God will show judgment without mercy to those who have not been merciful in life on that day. Think about that for a minute... do you want to receive judgement from God without mercy? I don't think so. But it is a fact that this is what you will face on the day of judgement if you have not been merciful to other people in this life. Sowing and reaping has a much larger impact then only that of your finances.
Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV) 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
Can the Word of God be clearer? There are different measurements that God will use on the day of judgement and those measurements are determined by none other then you and I. I am right now determining how God is going to judge me by how I deal with other people... sobering.
Think of it this way: If on the day of judgment, there is a TV screen which will show the key moments of your life for your trial (Jesus is your Advocate or Lawyer), picture how you treated your worst kid on his worst day, or your worst critic on his worst day. God will play that clip and He will then determine that based on the measurement of mercy you showed them, that is how you will now be judged... How're you doin'?
OK... the good news is that it's not too late. We can change! We can get our mis-treatment of others not only washed away from the Hard Drive of Heaven, but we can also renew our minds in the Word and change our behaviour. All you have to do is confess your sin and God will be faithful and just to forgive us our sins... even the sin of judging others mercilessly.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement. A powerful quote straight from scripture to always remember. But for the sake of further clarity, I want to add to it a bit:
Your Mercy for Others Triumphs Over God's Judgment of You.
Check this out: You are already being judged in this life... not just in eternity. If you have not been shown mercy, you have probably not been very merciful to others as a result. And you excuse yourself by making a statement like this: "Nobody looks out for me, I need to look out for myself." But if you are thinking that way, you have it backwards. It doesn't start with others, it starts with you. The reason mercy and grace are not being shown to you even now is because you have not been showing mercy. You can change your life even right now by stopping this cycle lacking in mercy by becoming a "mercy person" today. If you will start, mercy will come your way faster then you can imagine. Trust God and develop a new cycle in your life.
Can you handle one more point?:
Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) "14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
With this teaching and with this scripture in mind, I want you to consider the following three statements which I hear allot. Fill in the blank if you can... and be honest:
“I can forgive anyone except for ___________________________”
“I can forgive almost anything except for _____________________”
“I’m not ready to forgive ____________________________ yet…”
Time for the test results. If you believe God's Word... and you really should believe God's Word... If you were able to put anything in any of the blanks above, your position in heaven is not secured.
Don't get mad... just get right. I'm not mincing words with this teaching because it is a fact and no excuse will change that. It is God's Word and the only way to deal with it is to submit to it and obey it.
You are determining the measurements that God is going to use on you right now. Your Mercy for Others will Triumph Over God's Judgement of You! That's good news if you will make a decision right now not only to be a Hearer of Gods Word, but also to be a Doer of God's Word.
