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 showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
Judgment is a topic no one wants to discuss if it’s referring to them. None of us like the thought of being judged, but it’s an event we can’t escape. We will all one day stand before God, and be judged. We need to live our life in lite of the fact that we will be judged by the law of liberty. The law of liberty is the rule by which freedom is secured. Freedom to live without the dominion of sin in our lives. Liberty is not a license to sin. When we obey God’s law it frees us from sin and enables us to walk in liberty.
If we are saved God has made it possible for us to live in obedience to him. He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us as he lives inside of us. Everything we need to do what is right has been provided for us. However, it is still our choice to determine what we will do with this knowledge and this help. Since God provides the help we need, and the liberty to free ourselves from the rule of sin, we will be held accountable for how we live our lives.
We are to live showing mercy to others. Verse 13 makes us fully aware of the consequences of not showing mercy, he will have no mercy on us. Don’t twist the truth. It is not saying that we work for mercy. If we could work for mercy, it wouldn’t be mercy.
We are not to live our lives to see how close to the edge we can get, but we are to focus on being in the center of where God wants us to be. The further away we get from the edge, the less likely we are to fall off. We are not to think “how much can I get away with” but “how pure can I be.” As you mature in your walk your desire to please God will conflict with pleasing yourself. You will know you are on the track to spiritual maturity when you love God more than yourself.
We will be judged for our thoughts and our deeds. When I think about standing before God and giving an account for my life, I imagine myself face down, arms stretched above my head, and stretched out on the floor. At my very best I know I am not worthy to stand in his presence. Even though, I know I am saved and going to heaven, I will still be weeping for the failure to be all God wants me to be. When we truly get a picture of standing before the all-knowing God, it should change how we think, feel and act. If we really believe Jesus is the Son of God, and that God is gracious, His word is true and authoritative, and one day He will judge us, our conduct should be agreeable. What we believe controls what we do. When the Bible is truly our authority it will direct how we live our lives. If it doesn’t it is not our authority. Actions do speak louder than words.
II Corinthians 5:10-11 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
