Mercy
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
As a Christian do you show mercy to people around you, especially those you disagree with?
Some time ago I heard of a story in the United States of a family business who wanted the right not to serve members of the LGBTQ community. They said it was against their religious beliefs as Christians.
I cannot see anywhere in the scriptures that tells Christians they must not serve those they disagree with. In fact Jesus sat down and had dialogue with everyone. He sat and talked to a Samaritan woman, someone Jews of the day discriminated against. He sat with tax collectors someone considered sinners by the religious leadership of the day.
Matthews gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The way I see it as a Christian you must be willing to associate with all people. You must show love and respect for all people even those you disagree with. You must be willing to associate with all people.
While in Athens Paul associated with philosophers and others his faith would have called sinners, without judging them. As a result he was asked to speak before the leaned men about his faith.
James reminds Christians to,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
Paul tells us something we should all take to hart,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16.
We as Christians must remember we too are sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ. As such we must work all the harder to show those who have not been redeemed by the blood of Christ the way to heaven.
We cannot do this by refusing to serve them in our businesses or refusing to associate with them. We must follow the example of Christ who associated with all people.
Please think about it.
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
As a Christian do you show mercy to people around you, especially those you disagree with?
Some time ago I heard of a story in the United States of a family business who wanted the right not to serve members of the LGBTQ community. They said it was against their religious beliefs as Christians.
I cannot see anywhere in the scriptures that tells Christians they must not serve those they disagree with. In fact Jesus sat down and had dialogue with everyone. He sat and talked to a Samaritan woman, someone Jews of the day discriminated against. He sat with tax collectors someone considered sinners by the religious leadership of the day.
Matthews gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
The way I see it as a Christian you must be willing to associate with all people. You must show love and respect for all people even those you disagree with. You must be willing to associate with all people.
While in Athens Paul associated with philosophers and others his faith would have called sinners, without judging them. As a result he was asked to speak before the leaned men about his faith.
James reminds Christians to,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
Paul tells us something we should all take to hart,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16.
We as Christians must remember we too are sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ. As such we must work all the harder to show those who have not been redeemed by the blood of Christ the way to heaven.
We cannot do this by refusing to serve them in our businesses or refusing to associate with them. We must follow the example of Christ who associated with all people.
Please think about it.
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