James: Wisdom From AboveSample

‘So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.’ (James 2:12-13, ESV)

Everything James tells us in his letter is based on how Jesus has changed his life. When he tells us not to show favoritism, he isn’t just telling us to behave ourselves for the sake of it. He’s telling us to align our behavior with our beliefs, to turn our lives into a picture of the good news we proclaim, and to demonstrate the character of the God we worship.

Why has God shown so much favor to us? It’s not because we have earned it. God doesn’t show favor to us because we garnish ourselves with good behavior and virtues. If we’ve broken His law in one place, we’ve still broken it. We come to God like beggars in rags, but He turns us into His beloved children and clothes us with robes of righteousness. How will this message sound in the ears of someone who feels alone in a church where cliques only pay attention to the people most like them? The words will have an empty ring to them because our actions will drown them out with a totally different message.

Reflection: How is the Holy Spirit lovingly challenging you to align your life with the good news of Jesus?