James 2: 1-13

“ 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.





To show Mercy is better than to judge. that was the focus of my sermon but... James focuses on the poor and maybe its because of the way i was raised but my temptation tends to be to make judgements about those who are wealthy. I assume they are corupt, dishonest and imoral simply because they are wealthy. aren't those judgements just a wrong either way we need to termper our judgements with mercy