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Have Mercy- In His Word 6-9-2025
Continuing in James.
Today as I read James 2, I am finding some wake up calls! So
many of us do this without even realizing it. We favor the one who will pay for
their item over the one who cannot. We may even favor the cleaned up person
over the messy, dirty one. Especially in children we notice this but as adults
we, if we examine our actions, will step back from someone who is obviously
living on the streets in line, or maybe even ignore them when we walk by them
trying to avoid their request for food. Not on purpose mind you but when you
live where there are so many people asking for free food, free whatever you
will give them free it gets easier to go by them. Especially when you have
personally met those who could work a good job, have had them but chosen to
just not work because they can get by without it and enjoy life living there in
the world. Some people are homeless by choice because they just don’t want to
have to do all that work. Some people are poor by things that just happened,
and then some are because they got involved in the wrong lifestyle. Then there are those who have been out there
so long that they are stuck, drugs, or mental issues include these people.
But what are we supposed to do about it?
Well, the Bible says to treat them like anyone else.
As usual I have a story from my life that relates to this!
When I was young and we could not afford to go to Horse Camp I realized that
some people just don’t have the money to do so. I wanted to grow up and get
some land and start a camp where people who could pay would offset the cost for
those kids who really wanted to go to camp but could not afford to go.
If you are in the Bay Area of California you may have a camp
called MorningStar that is available to help kids who cannot pay, afford to go
to a wonderful camp experiencing group outings, adventures in the wilderness,
and a chance to know who God really is and how He can make a difference. You
get to meet with leaders who really care about your kids. Being allowed to
participate in this helps kids feel ‘normal’ when they are too poor to go and
hear others talk of their camp experiences. Things like this can change a life.
But what about adults? How can we reach those adults that
don’t want to be reached?
We had a friend who recently passed on who would walk the
streets of Concord California sharing the Gospel message and loving on everyone
she met. Sounds like a Bible person eh? Yes she was! Many lives where touched
because of her. We had other people who came to groups as unhoused people who
were able to eat a meal and listen to the study and fellowship with the rest of
the groups, in whatever condition they came in!
That is how we need to be. When we have our groups, or outings
with Church or just friends, we need to be aware of hungry around us and offer
them food.
I know another woman who picks up food at the food bank and
drives around in normal days looking for people who she happens to meet or see
that look like they could use some fresh veg. She bags them, and shops for them
from her truckload of food.
This is more than most of us would do but it is what God has
called her to do.
Read the scriptures now. We will talk more after.
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have
faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For
example, suppose someone comes into your meeting (in Greek its synagogue) dressed
in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and
dressed in dirty clothes. If you give
special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor
one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this
discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen
the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will
inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich
who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ,
whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law
as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor
some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking
the law.
For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as
guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not
commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So, if you murder someone
but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
So, whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you
will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not
shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when
he judges you. James 2:1-13
“What can I do?” you ask? Maybe you don’t have money and
cant help someone in true need, but you want to help. Join in with one of the local
church giveaways and help encourage others to go pick up the food. Or gather
food to distribute like our friend mentioned above does. Ask God, ‘what should
I do?’ Have Him show you who really needs help, and who is being lazy.
There is a scripture that says that those who do not work
should not eat or will not eat. I could not find it in my search engine, but I
did find a ton that say to work hard, to do your best to do the things that
Jesus would have us do to further the kingdom.
I did find a lot that are like above here, be merciful and
do not judge them. Treat them like anyone else, not giving preference to those
who are clean over dirty. Seems a little off in our world today but we can do
it! And that is the lesson I think this portion of chapter 2 in James wants us
to know. Be open to helping that person in line whose debit card is just not
working. If you are able, pay their grocery bill or something but be merciful
and pray for them as you patiently wait in line. Ask God to show you their needs,
and to know how to pray. Then lift up the need silently in prayer. That my
friend is a start! There is so much more
to this chapter, but as with last week I will post the questions later and let
you read and study the rest of the Chapter 2 in James!
In His love,
Teresa Wilson