May 12
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JAMES 2
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:8-13
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JAMES 2 MERCY WINS OVER JUDGMENT
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
To judge others based on one’s own standard is ungodly
The Lord is a fair God and equally treats us all graciously
As long as we live by the royal law of loving him first and then others
We will show mercy and be fair to our sisters and brothers
If you judge others, you will be judged by that same measure you used
So, let us all show mercy instead of passing judgments quickly.
If we serve the Lord our God, we will keep the whole law he gave
We cannot choose or select certain ones and disobey some of it
If we fail to do one of those precepts, we are convicted as lawless
We ought to follow all the laws; missing out on one makes us outlaws
If God is love, let us then give mercy generously and give up judging
For we will not be given mercy when we show discrimination and bias.
When we show compassion and thoughtfulness to one another
We will be able to let go of all prejudices and impartialities
However, if, we continue to exercise judgment and favouritism
We will ruin all our blessings and favor from our Lord and Savior
Let us be compassionate and generous showing God’s image in us
Mercy wins over judgment, do not fail to give such kindness.
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REFLECTION
• Why is disobedience to only one law equivalent to transgressing as verse 10 says?