Theme: SELF APPRAISAL
Text: “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shown no mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” – James 2: 12,13.
Comment: The text under reference today teaches everyone the virtue of self-examination. It shows that, unless one is merciful to others, one should not expect mercy from God Almighty. The Sweet Psalmist of Israel dwelt on this in the following text: ‘But unto the wicked God saith, what hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue framest deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother, thou slanderest thine own mother’s son…” (Psalm 50: 16-21. Compare Exodus 20: 12-17).’ King Solomon states: ‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble’ (Psalm 41: 1); and one of Christ’s beatitudes states, ‘Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy’ – Matthew 5: 7; compare Mark 11: 25, 26.
Apostle Paul made it clear that one should first practice what he believes before teaching others. (Romans 2: 21-25) The law of God is strict on deliberate offenders, and does not respect persons. To quote Apostle James, ‘If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors… – James 2: 8-11. See also Leviticus 19: 18.