For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? – James 2:13-14 ESV

Warrior;
As we examine the pages of Scripture, we can clearly read its own autobiographical claims to be the inspired, inerrant Word of God – it is correct in everything that it records. This being the case, we must realize that page, chapter and ‘thought’ breaks were put in by men, and they should never change the flow, understanding and proper translation of the WORDS themselves. Remember Jesus is THE WORD! (See John 1:1-4) James 2:14-20 goes into the argument of Faith vs Works, in a way. However, in most Bibles there is a change of thought between 2:13, and 2:14 that should be removed to get the depth of understanding from this Word! For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. This is God’s ‘Golden rule’: God will treat us, as we treat others. It is written: “For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Listen carefully to what you hear! The way you treat others will be the way you will be treated–and even worse.” (Matthew 7:2, Mark 4:24) When we have Mercy, it naturally flows into WORKS. When we realize what God has done for us, then we realize we GET TO do for others. In Luke 7 Jesus explains this in an interaction with Peter. It is Written: But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said. “Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said… Therefore, I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:40-43,47) This understanding, this appreciation, THIS UNMERITED FAVOR, compels a TRUE BELIEVER to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! This is why Paul proclaimed, “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified”. (Romans 2:13) It is also what drove James to make the statement, “Faith without Works is Dead”.

Leader, hear what the half-brother of Jesus said about REAL FAITH. This second verse in today’s “continuation of thought” verse, is about what is TRUE BELIEF. And remember, this was the man who gave His life as the first Leader of the Jerusalem church. This is the man who was thrown off a high pinnacle, and then beaten to death upon survival, all because He would not deny the DEITY OF JESUS! “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:14-20) Do you truly believe that God is Yahweh Jireh, the God who provides, or is that you? The Apostle John, the writer of the LOVE GOSPEL, put it this way, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:16-17) Notice again how ‘man’ separates, and puts a ‘change in thought’ between v16 and v 17. God connects ‘Giving up one’s life’, with ‘GIVING UP ONE’S MONEY and STUFF’. Our Belief is demonstrated by our ACTIONS. What we are doing SPEAKS so loudly, that people don’t need to HEAR THE SERMON we are preaching! A picture is worth 1000 words!

Conduit, Love is a VERB! Love is not a feeling; it is NOT something you FALL INTO! Love is a choice; it is a VERB! For God so loved the World- HE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT. See John 3:16. Not only is LOVE a VERB, so is FAITH and BELIEF. In the 19th century the greatest tightrope walker in the world was a man named Charles Blondin. On June 30, 1859, he became the first man in history to walk on a tightrope across Niagara Falls. In the days that followed, he would walk across the Falls many times. Once he asked the cheering spectators if they thought he could push a man across sitting in a wheelbarrow. A mighty roar of approval rose from the crowd. Spying a man cheering loudly, he asked, “Sir, do you think I could safely carry you across in this wheelbarrow?” “Yes, of course”, said the man. “Then, get in,” the Great Blondin replied with a smile. The man refused. It’s one thing to believe a man can walk across by himself. It’s another thing to believe he could safely carry you across. But it’s something else entirely to get into the wheelbarrow yourself. God is looking for people who are willing to GET IN THE WHEELBARROW. Build Your House on the Rock of ACTION, the ROCK OF FAITH! It is written: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27) When Jesus was told to go to His Mother and Brother, Jesus told us that doing is kinship with the King! It is written; But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (Luke 8:21, John 13:17) It was Jesus Himself who stated, “If you Loved me you would keep my commandments”. (John 14:15) Jesus then reminded us that our Love for Him is demonstrated in our willingness to DO FOR HIM and for others! “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? (Luke 6:46) The Time is NOW to quit demanding Justice, and start giving MERCY, GRACE, UNDERSTANDING. If this is what we want, then LOVE IS THE WAY TO GIVE and to GET!