James Expounds on Faith Volume 24

 Avoid, Abstain, & Abhor the Sin of Partiality Part 7

James 2:12-13 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 shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. KJV Note:NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James concludes his discourse to the scattered twelve tribes which are scattered abroad (James 1:1) by giving them and us today the primary reason why they/we should avoid, abstain, and abhor the sin of partiality being that they and we are no longer under the law, but under grace, therfore, they and we should act like we understand that we shall not be judged by the law of God, but instead by the law of liberty as the Apostle James declares with these words, "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 shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." (James 2:12-13) (KJV). The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers @ Rome with these words explaining how we followers of our Lord Jesus Christ are now under His grace which means we have His power to live as He declares, determined, and desires us to live, as it is written, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6:14-16) (NKJV). The same Apostle Paul wrote these words concerning liberty to the Galatians, "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:13-15) (NKJV). Throughout the entire New Testament, we find the decree, the declaration, and the demand for brothers and sisters 'in Christ' to love one another and to not hurt, humiliate, or harm one another, therefore, the sin of favoritism could make some brothers or sisters see themselves as less than others and could in deed harm their faith or weaken it. We must also remember how the Apostle Paul compared Christ' Body (the Church ⛪) to an actual physical human body and said such things as this, "And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you. No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 12:21-26) (NKJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 2:12-13, "James directs Christians to govern and conduct themselves more especially by the law of Christ. So speak and so do as those that shall be judged by the law of liberty, James 2:12. This will teach us, not only to be just and impartial, but very compassionate and merciful to the poor; and it will set us perfectly free from all sordid and undue regards to the rich. Observe here, 1. The Gospel is called a law. It has all the requisites of a law: precepts with rewards and punishments annexed; it prescribes duty, as well as administers comfort; and Christ is a King to rule us as well as a Prophet to teach us, and a Priest to sacrifice and intercede for us. We are under the law to Christ. 2. It is a law of liberty, and one that we have no reason to complain of as a yoke or burden; for the service of God, according to the Gospel, is perfect freedom; it sets us at liberty from all slavish regards, either to the persons or the things of this world. 3. We must all be judged by this law of liberty. Men's eternal condition will be determined according to the Gospel; this is the book that will be opened, when we shall stand before the judgment-seat; there will be no relief to those whom the Gospel condemns, nor will any accusation lie against those whom the Gospel justifies. 4. It concerns us therefore so to speak and act now as become those who must shortly be judged by this law of liberty; that is, that we come up to Gospel terms, that we make conscience of Gospel duties, that we be of a Gospel temper, and that our conversation be a Gospel conversation, because by this rule we must be judged. 5. The consideration of our being judged by the Gospel should engage us more especially to be merciful in our regards to the poor (James 2:13): For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Take notice here, (1.) The doom which will be passed upon impenitent sinners at last will be judgment without mercy; there will be no mixtures or allays in the cup of wrath and of trembling, the dregs of which they must drink. (2.) Such as show no mercy now shall find no mercy in the great day. But we may note, on the other hand, (3.) That there will be such as shall become instances of the triumph of mercy, in whom mercy rejoices against judgment: all the children of men, in the last day, will be either vessels of wrath or vessels of mercy. It concerns all to consider among which they shall be found; and let us remember that blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…