Judging

The Book of James is a short letter that is often over looked. Not just because it is short but there have been many who simply didn’t like what it said so they would glance over it quickly. Martin Luther, not the King but the great reformer who lived a few hundred years ago didn’t like James at all he called it an epistle of Straw. He didn’t like it because his big message was that we are saved by Grace through faith and not by works. And while he is right works cannot save us. Once you are a Christian God calls us to live a certain way.

The Problem is all to often we are so concerned that people accept Jesus that we a nervous about calling to people a anything more than a simple decision for Christ This is called cheap grace. The problem is Jesus called his followers to take up there Cross and follow him not say a simple prayer and continue live the same life.

James is a book that focuses on the way Christians should live I contains several lessons about things we should do. But First “ Suppose a man comes into this meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes. And suppose a poor man in worn out clothes also comes in. 3Would you show special attention to the one who is wearing fine clothes? Would you say, "Here’s a good seat for you"? Would you say to the poor person, "You stand there"? If you would, aren’t you treating some people better than others? Aren’t you like judges who have evil thoughts?

5My dear brothers and sisters, listen to me. Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor in the world’s eyes to be rich in faith? Hasn’t he chosen them to receive the kingdom? Hasn’t he promised it to those who love him?

6But you have put poor people down. Aren’t rich people taking advantage of you? Aren’t they dragging you into court? 7Aren’t they speaking evil things against the worthy name of Jesus? Remember, you belong to him.

8The royal law is found in Scripture. It says, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."(Leviticus 19:18) If you really keep that law, you are doing what is right. 9But you sin if you don’t treat everyone the same. The law judges you because you have broken it.

10Suppose you keep the whole law but trip over just one part of it. Then you are guilty of breaking all of it. 11God said, "Do not commit adultery."(Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) He also said, "Do not commit murder."(Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) Suppose you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder. Then you have broken the Law.

12Speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. 13Those who have not shown mercy will not receive mercy when they are judged. To show mercy is better than to judge.

Honestly, why do you think Toussaint on spent 4 days in Jail, or MJ is still walking around and who can forget “ If the Glove doesn’t fit … You have to aquit” IT doesn’t matter if your black or white old or young if you have money the world has a different standard for those who have money. Well… for those who have lots of money. We do it too we don’t need to be rich our selves because there is always some ne richer than us and always someone poorer that we can look down on. And its not just money that tempts us to make judgments we judge people based on the way the dress based on the color of their skin based on how smart we think they aren’t .

I don’t have a drawn out discourse about what James means when he says not to Judge People. I think this one is pretty clear Verse 9 Says: 9But you sin if you don’t treat everyone the same. The law judges you because you have broken it. But which of us hasn’t broken it. Your sitting on the subway and someone smells so you pull away and the first thing that comes to mind is to check your wallet? As Christians we are called to be and act different one important way to do that is by withholding judgment on others, by show mercy. Mercy Triumphs over judgment. Triumph with me this morning.