The larger truth James is teaching is that a person may in most respects appear to be a very good person and yet spoil it all before God by one fault, even a so-called respectable fault, a fault for which he may often be praised.
He may appear moral in his action, pure in his speech, and faithful in worship; yet he may be judgmental and self-righteous; he may be rigid, without sympathy; and when this is the case, his so-called goodness is spoiled by his underlying faults.
James 2:9-13 NIV9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
- Romans 3:23-24 NIV for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
- A person may not have murdered someone or been unfaithful to his spouse, but to harbor resentment against a brother or sister still makes one a transgressor. Prejudice toward the poor makes one guilty
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
We are reminded here that our judgment will be in three distinct areas of our lives.
- Our words will be judged! It was the words of the ushers to the rich and the poor that revealed their hearts.
- Our actions will be judged! We must also conduct ourselves as those who will be judged someday by the perfect law of liberty.
- Our attitudes will be judged! Either we have shown mercy, or we have not. Someday the truth about our words, our actions, and our attitudes will be known. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that no creature is “hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (4:13).
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Jesus taught this truth also:
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matt. 5:7)
- For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matt. 6:14–15)
- Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Matt. 7:1–2)
2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…
We all should remember, if not for His Grace, we have no hope at all…