Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
We are to obey the royal law as found in scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James 2:8
The royal law was first given by Jesus himself in John 15:12, “Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.”
What is going on in your mind after reading these scriptures…Do you love your neighbor, each and every neighbor? Do you love each other, that means everyone who you meet? Do you love people, ALL people – even those you have not met?
Favoritism is real here on earth. James warns us against prejudice in Chapter 2, toward the rich or the poor. When we discriminate against people (of any stature) “it shows that your judgments are guided by evil motives.” 2:4
God has no favorites, we should not either. James reminds us that having favor towards certain people is inconsistent with Jesus’ teachings: it will result in evil thoughts, it insults people made in God’s image, it is selfish, and goes against how Jesus wants us to love. It lacks mercy towards those less fortunate, it is hypocritical, and in the end it is a SIN! (Yikes!)
Do you show favoritism to certain people at work, at church, at the grocery store, in restaurants, or even within your family? Verse 9 in James says, “But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.”
We are saved by God’s free gift (grace) through faith, not by keeping the law. Thank you Jesus! But God’s grace does not cancel our duty to obey Him; it gives our obedience a new basis. The law is no longer an external set of rules, but it is a law that sets you free!!
We obey God and move away from anything labeled as sin because as Christians we love God and have the power of the Holy Spirit within us! This is true freedom! This is glorifying our God!!
“So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free.” James 2:12
Love always wins, mercy always wins.
“There will be no mercy for those who have shown no mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.” 2:13
“We will stand before Christ one day to be judged.” (2Corinthians 5:10). #truth
Love your neighbor as you truly love yourself. Have mercy for each other. We will be judged.
God has no favorites, we are not to show favor toward or against any person or we are sinning. James spoke on prejudice for 13 verses, this is serious, this is real!
It is written, we must obey and become students of the Word. Through the Holy Spirit our hearts & minds will transform, our life will change! We can’t just know the Word, we have to do the Word! When our conduct and thoughts transform we are on the path to true genuine faith.
We Love you & Stay Rooted,
L & H
