2:12
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom”. This is a wonderfully rich instruction. On the one hand we are to act knowing that we will be judged, that we will have to give an account to the Lord. This should have a sobering effect on how we live, and how we treat and judge others. On the other hand it is a law that gives freedom. The Law could only highlight our failings and sins. The law of the gospel can set us free, and set others free. So when we see someone else who is a believer, then we know that they are on exactly the same level as us, set free by the grace of God through Christ. This applies whether they are rich or poor. If we see someone who is not a believer, then even when we become aware of their sins, they can be forgiven and set free through faith in Christ.
2:13
Another wonderfully rich verse. So often our platitudes of the gospel will focus on either mercy or judgement, and platitudes without power is all that they are. In the Bible judgement and mercy are intertwined, and in a wonderful way. “Judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful”. This ties in very closely with the teaching of Jesus. There are the words from the Lord’s Prayer saying “forgive us our sins as we forgive others”, and the parable of the unmerciful servant. This is not a matter of earning forgiveness, but of being merciful as our Father in Heaven is merciful. The first part of this verse seems very severe, and we should indeed live in fear (in the right sense), but then we get “Mercy triumphs over judgement”. If we are merciful as He is merciful then we will see the kingdom advance. There is indeed judgement, our present age is in rebellion against God and heading down a destructive road. We do not pretend the judgement does not exist, instead we look to see mercy triumph over judgment.
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