James Part 4: Mercy Over Judgement

James Part 4: Mercy Over Judgement

Read James 2:1-13

Watch “James 2:1-13” by Francis Chan on Rightnow Media.

One of the phrases that grabbed me in the video was Francis talking about showing mercy “to people who have nothing to offer me”. It made me wonder how much of my interaction with people I see as a transaction – an exchange of value.

• In your relationships, what proportion of them are ones that you get something out of?
• How much room does this leave for relationships with someone who can offer you nothing?
• What would it cost to make more room for these mercy relationships?

James focuses a lot on the trouble that the church was having with people whose favour they were seeking, rather than pursuing those who were chosen to have genuine faith (James 2:5-7).

• What is the danger of trying to impress the ‘more desirable’ people that James refers to here? How might it affect the way we present the Gospel?
• What might hold us back from inviting someone who we see as having significant needs into our lives or the life of the church?

In verses 8-11, James refers to the command to love our neighbour as ourselves as a law and breaking it on a level with adultery and murder.

• How might your behaviour change if you approached this command in this way?
• What might be a practical next step to love one of your neighbours better? Who in your group can you tell so they can follow up and encourage you?

Conclude in prayer: Pray for one another as we engage with the people God places around us, rather than the ones we might choose.