Do you have this?
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Turn the page --> James chapter two.
But first, why? Why should you care what a simple man from 2000 years ago has to say? Well, he had a front row seat to Jesus' entire life, and was also the leader in the first Christian Church right there in Jerusalem. And in the letter he wrote, just 108 verses, he shows us how we ought live our best life!
James was writing to fellow believers trying to live well in a world of darkness, in a world hostile toward them---wait, are we talking now or a long time ago?? Because many people reading this find themselves in a culture hostile to the truth of an all holy God, and living rightly before him. James might as well have posted his take on TikTok yesterday, because it is that timely. In chapter one, he has addressed: trials in life, obtaining God's wisdom, that God truly wants us to love Him--we can only do that by getting to know Him; James instructs us to guard our tongues, flee from temptation, and know that our Father is the Giver of good gifts. James also points out that we ought live out what we say we believe. All in James chapter 1!
The most popular Morning Briefing I ever sent came from the content of James chapter two. The subject matter would probably surprise you. In this part of his letter, James spends a good deal of ink talking about how we treat people--echoing once again what the Lord held out as a standard for living; after loving God with all of who we are, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. James says we do that by not showing favoritism because of another's appearance or apparent station in life; we are to leave judgment to God, and then, James talks about mercy.
For context, when my son, Dylan, was six years old and a hockey goalie, he won an award for his treatment of other players and his conduct on the rink. His coach gave him a cool tee shirt that listed the various character traits in color; this mama liked that! But one quality of character not listed on his tee shirt? Mercy.
Hmmm... now that I think about it, the value of mercy seems to have become passe in our world...have you noticed? Where. did. mercy. go? Yet, look what James says:
"...it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself."...whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.1
Clearly, God values mercy! So, let's step a little closer. The common dictionary definition of mercy is 'compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.' More often than not, if mentioned at all, the term mercy is used interchangeably with compassion, but it is more than that; when it would seem like a man might expect judgment, the judge decides to pardon or give him mercy. Mercy is often unexpected. hmmm....
Apparently, James knew Jesus' thoughts on mercy--excerpted from the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."2
Note the correlation - if we wish to receive mercy, we must extend mercy.
Mercy is something not of this world really. It comes from the best part of us, yet from a catalyst outside of us that is far higher and purer. Reminds me of these thoughts,
*The quality of mercy is not strained;
*It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.
*It is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes . . .' 3
Humility is the companion of mercy, as it enables us to see our own need for mercy from others, from God, whereas the proud neither see their need of it, much less the value of showing mercy to another. While I often think of myself too much and also think too much of myself, one thing I know -
I would be lost without God's mercy.
Therefore I want to be a woman who gives mercy freely.
Could we start a campaign of mercy, you and me?
This is my thought . . .
I want to be a person who dispenses mercy in the form of compassion,
my heart broken with the things that break the heart of God
giving the benefit of the doubt,
withholding judgment,
having a willingness to get my hands dirty to help someone
being empathetic without knowing all the details,
showing kindness in spades
because that is mercy
Join me in praying that God will give us the desire to think his thoughts after him ~ thoughts that include mercy.
A prayer:
Dear Father,
Thank you for being merciful to us.
Transform our hearts to be people who give mercy by being compassionate. As we look around us, please break our hearts with what breaks yours. Remind us to give the benefit of the doubt to others, as we do not walk in their shoes. Remind us to refrain from judgment or we will be judged. Move us to get our hands dirty to help someone else, to be empathetic and to show kindness wherever you take us---looking long in folks' eyes who need a little love. Help us see them.
O Lord, thank you for having mercy on us,
may we be mercy givers in turn! Amen.
All Because of Mercy:
Mercy is compelling and irreplaceable.
Christine
James, no.7
1 - James 2.8,12, 13
2 - Matthew 5.7
3 - The Merchant of Venice, Act IV, William Shakespeare
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