What do you think these words mean from James 2:13? "judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
I think it sounds like Jesus in Matt 6:14-15: "14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
James doesn't let up: those who will be finally approved by God will be people who do God's will, who live out the law of love, and who have works.
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I thought we had purged him from the canon...
Scot,
This is a tough passage - we want to rationalize away both of these. But it seems inescapable, and not just from these two passages, that how we treat others has everlasting consequence.
Wonders,
Purging James wouldn't do any good unless we also purge the synoptic gospels (or I suppose relegate the teachings within to pre-crucifixion and resurrection irrelevance).
What then does "Mercy triumphs over judgment " mean? Is it really retributive justice in which mercy does not triumph over judgment? Is it tit-for-tat? If you give mercy OK but if not then judgment really triumphs over mercy? Does it only refer to relationships between persons, and not to the character of God?
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