Word@Work James19 - James 2:12-13
Published: Fri, 03/06/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE APPRAISAL
James 2:12-13 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! (NIV)
James has been telling us that favouritism is not a godly way to behave, and so he now concludes by looking ahead to the time when we have our lifetime's 'appraisal' with Jesus. The message is quite direct. We must remember that we will have to give an account of all our words and actions (cf Rom 14:12). We should not forget that Jesus came to bring us freedom from sin. Once we have come to Christ, we then ought to obey Him freely out of love and gratitude. If we don't, then we are ungrateful and disobedient; and that leads to bondage - an inability to enjoy the freedom Christ has won for us.
If we fail to be merciful to those who need our care, our judgement of them rebounds on ourselves. This may seem harsh, but it certainly makes the point in such a way that we cannot escape the seriousness of the message. We are expected to treat others as Jesus did, and to speak to them as He did too. Anything less is offensive to God and will bring His judgement on those who dishonour Him.
Most workplaces have a wide variety of people, as workers, customers and clients - and all the people who support the infrastructure such as cleaners, canteen workers, couriers and drivers: and from different culture backgrounds too. Having this teaching from James, let's put it into practice by finding ways to honour those who others might ignore or despise. That should be especially true with other Christians (cf Gal 6:10) but it must not stop there. Each person is loved by God and Jesus gave His life for every one. So if we honour Him, we should also honour them. Such kindness to a non-Christian may result in their desire to find Jesus too.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I do not like to think about my final 'appraisal' with you one day; but it is important that I do. I know that it will help me to live the kind of life that pleases You. Please help me to seek out people who others despise or ignore; and may my kindness to them be a sign of my gratitude for all you have done for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
James has been telling us that favouritism is not a godly way to behave, and so he now concludes by looking ahead to the time when we have our lifetime's 'appraisal' with Jesus. The message is quite direct. We must remember that we will have to give an account of all our words and actions (cf Rom 14:12). We should not forget that Jesus came to bring us freedom from sin. Once we have come to Christ, we then ought to obey Him freely out of love and gratitude. If we don't, then we are ungrateful and disobedient; and that leads to bondage - an inability to enjoy the freedom Christ has won for us.
If we fail to be merciful to those who need our care, our judgement of them rebounds on ourselves. This may seem harsh, but it certainly makes the point in such a way that we cannot escape the seriousness of the message. We are expected to treat others as Jesus did, and to speak to them as He did too. Anything less is offensive to God and will bring His judgement on those who dishonour Him.
Most workplaces have a wide variety of people, as workers, customers and clients - and all the people who support the infrastructure such as cleaners, canteen workers, couriers and drivers: and from different culture backgrounds too. Having this teaching from James, let's put it into practice by finding ways to honour those who others might ignore or despise. That should be especially true with other Christians (cf Gal 6:10) but it must not stop there. Each person is loved by God and Jesus gave His life for every one. So if we honour Him, we should also honour them. Such kindness to a non-Christian may result in their desire to find Jesus too.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I do not like to think about my final 'appraisal' with you one day; but it is important that I do. I know that it will help me to live the kind of life that pleases You. Please help me to seek out people who others despise or ignore; and may my kindness to them be a sign of my gratitude for all you have done for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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