Good morning. Please turn with me in your Bibles to James 2. This morning we are going to be reading the first thirteen verses of that chapter.
Last time we were together we said that a Christian is one who has had a radical change in his life. Not just of externals, but of internals. His heart has been renewed and he has been made alive unto God. We said that that change of regeneration was the core of what Christianity is.
And then we said, as a result of that change, the Christian will have several concerns that consume his life. He’s going to be concerned that he honor God by obeying his law. And we specified some of those concerns: such as guarding his speech and being sure his tongue is used in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. We also said that he is going to be concerned to keep himself unspotted from the world. In other words, the thought patterns that are common to the world around us (and contrary to God), he’s going to make sure that he avoids those things.
Another concern that he will have is for those who are disadvantaged. We talked about the widow and orphan. A true Christian will want to care for them and make sure they are not taken advantage of. He’s going to make sure that their rights are maintained and their physical needs are provided for.
Well, our passage this morning takes up right there. Chapter 2 begins by talking about a specific way we go about caring for those who are poor. And we are going to see that it deals with the sin of partiality (some of your versions might say “respecter of persons.”).
Now, personally, I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a sermon on this topic. I don’t think that I’ve ever in all my own messages personally addressed the sin of favoritism. But it is a big deal to James (and in the larger scope of Scripture). But as we will find out today, it is one that we should be on the lookout for.
And so, as we read this passage today, you’re going to find that there are several reasons why this sin should be avoided. Really, when you understand what is said here in this passage, you understand that partiality is really a bad thing. And ultimately, it is in your best interest not to steer clear from any kind of unrighteous discrimination.
But let us remember as we read that this is primarily a concern that should weigh on your heart, because it is a specific way you care for people in need.
James 2:1-13
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Introduction:
A few weeks ago we were at the playground just down the street from us and we got to talking with the assistant basketball coach at Ashland University. Some of you know that his wife has been the head coach there for the last several years. They have been co-coaching together. But recently she took a job at another school. And we asked him if he was going to be able to continue coaching along side of her. He said that he probably would, but the school had to be careful of nepotism.
That word struck me as odd. It isn’t one you often hear. But it is the idea that you give special privileges (in this case a job) to someone just because they are related (and not so much because they are qualified). All in all, it boiled down to showing an undue favoritism.
I was reminded of that this week in studying this passage. This passage, as you note from the first sentence we read, deals with undue partiality and shows how it is expressly forbidden by God.
And this morning we’re going to spend some time meditating on this concept of partiality. And we are going to look at it under three headings: We are going to define it, describe it (by way of illustration and concrete examples), and then destroy it (show why it is completely contrary to the Christian life).
I. Favoritism Defined - What it is
Now, as we define it we should recognize that this is not talking about just showing favor to certain people or canceling out the need to giving proper homage where it is due. We live in a day that wants to erase all social structures and sometimes we are told that we need to treat everyone the same.
But that’s not necessarily true (or it is not fully true). The Bible tells us that we are to show favoritism and that there are people who deserve special attention. For instance, the Bible would have us give women and children special treatment because of their femininity and delicate age. So if you are on a crowded bus and a pregnant lady or an elderly person steps on, Biblically speaking, what should you do? You should get up and offer your seat to that person.
This is something that is really outrageous today: but when you are out and about, you should hold the door open for a lady. There are some people who would say that is outlandish. They’ll say that they can get their own door. They don’t need that special treatment.
And all that stems of course from the idea that all people are completely the same and there are no differences whatsoever between males and females. We’re all protoplasmic blobs that have evolved from the same slime and there is nothing that deserves special regard.
That is terribly unbiblical. The Bible gives us a code of honor and tells us that there are times when we are to treat certain people (or groups of people) with special favor.
What this passage is talking about is a distortion of God’s system of honor. It is when we begin to judge, not on the basis of what God likes, but on the basis of our sinful inclinations.
This is where the passage is really helpful. Because our passage brings this idea of a unbiblical standard.
In verse 1 James uses word προσωποληψία (prosōpolēpsia). The ESV translates it as “partiality.” The NIV uses the word favoritism. Some of the older versions use the phrase “respecter of persons.” Literally it means “receiving the face.” And the idea is that if you are giving someone special attention because you are attracted to them. And, of course, when you turn your face towards something, you end up turning away from someone/thing else. You are discriminating against someone because of a personal preference.
Then in verse 4 you see this spelled out a little more. He says “Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.”
Now, it is not making distinctions that is wrong, right? We just said that making distinctions can be necessary. We make distinctions between male and female, older and younger. We can see that there are distinctions between classes of people (rich/poor, educated and uneducated). He’s talking about not making the right distinctions.
I heard that this word can mean divide. So you could read it, “Are you not cutting it wrongly?” And all you kids know what this is talking about, right? When it comes down to the last piece of pie in the pie tin, you know that it is very important to cut that piece of pie right down the middle. You better be careful to cut that thing right down the middle, because someone will pitch a huge fit if one piece is slightly bigger than the other. You better not show any favor and cut that so there is more for him than for me.
That’s what this is talking about. You’ve judged wrongly. You’ve cut up things so that one guy gets indulged while the other gets unfairly deprived.
So the point is you have to cut things the way God cuts things. You got to treat people like God treats them. You have to deal with them, not on the basis of what you can get out of them—some selfish motive or standard, but you have to treat them with fairness and just judgments.
This is why the Bible tells us that God does not show prosopolepsia. The book of Romans says that God is not a respecter of persons. He doesn’t judge on the basis of externals or by how he may personally benefit. He judges people based on their moral standing.
God looks at the heart and not on outward appearances. And his judgment is always just and true. It isn’t lightened for some and made heavier for others. Each person gets what he deserves.
And we are to reflect that in our own lives and how we treat others.
II. Favoritism Described -
In our passage here it talks about the rich and the poor. The rich get better treatment. He gets a nice chair in the most prominent spot. While the poor guy gets thrown in the corner. He gets shoved to the side.
You understand the rationale. The rich guy has more to offer. He has money. He likely has some prestige. Your church could get a boost or if you give him some special attention, maybe you’ll get to hob nob with the social elite too. You’ll get to enter into their prestigious ranks as well.
You’ve heard the saying, “All people are equal, its just that some are more equal than others.” That’s getting at this idea of false distinctions.
When you show favoritism, you are not judging like God does. You are not judging on the basis of God’s standards. Rather you are creating your own system of judgment—it is based on your own likes and preferences.
We can do this with our kids. We all know the story of Joseph and how Jacob favored him above the rest of his brothers. He got a special coat—a special gift, and the others were not treated with the same level of respect. Eli indulged his sons and would not discipline them. He held back justice because they had a special place in his heart. When we don’t discipline our children when they act out, what we are doing is perverting God’s system.
Racism is another illustration of this. Racism is a system of judging people and favoring one group of people over another. And it is simply because you prefer their color of skin. You turn your face towards them and give them special attention. The Jim Crow laws were just what we see here: better seats on the bus, better drinking fountains, better places in worship.
We can see this played out in ministry too. Who are we more willing to talk to in church? With whom are we more likely to share the gospel? Does their skin color matter? Does their economic status have weight? I’ve heard people leaving the church and other’s in the church basically countenance it because “they just didn’t fit in.” What are we saying there? They don’t deserve to worship with us because they don’t fit our standards.
It is the idea that someone is deserving of better treatment and we can bend and twist justice. We can give blessings and curses on a shifting scale. It is arbitrary because it is based on our own interest and selfish motivations, rather than on God and his standard.
From time to time you will find that this or that Hollywood person will be arrested and have to go to court. But you’ll find that they get off with what amounts to a slap on the wrist. Their sentence will be shortened or their fine will be reduced. It is all because their face shows up on the TV screen. But some other guy commits the same crime and you’ll find that they throw the book at them. That’s showing partiality. It is not judging the way God would judge or would have us judge.
It happens in the church all the time too. When it comes to church discipline, sometimes that can be perverted. We can go lighter on someone because he is the son of an elder or we can be a little more heavy-handed because doesn’t mean as much to us and “we can make an example out of them.”
In some churches, there are certain families who seem to have a greater say in the decision making process. For instance, a church might say, “We can’t make him a deacon or an elder, because the Smith family doesn’t really like him and they might leave the church.” It doesn’t matter if the man is biblically qualified and has the support of the majority of the rest of the congregation. This one family is getting preferential treatment in that their vote has more sway.
Think about this on a more personal level. Think about it in terms of who might we be more willing to forgive? Are you more likely to forgive someone who is better looking? Has a little more upward social mobility? Someone you like more can be forgiven easier, can’t they? But that’s a sliding standard. That’s not judging as God would.
God’s forgiveness of you isn’t like that. You didn’t deserve to be forgiven. God didn’t forgive you because you were more worthy of it or because he liked you a little more than someone else. There is no bias when it comes to grace.
III. Favoritism Destroyed – Why it is so wrong
A. It is contrary to our mutual standing in Christ
In verse 1 James starts by saying, “My brothers.” James starts out by acknowledging everyone in the church (including himself!) as having equal standing in the church.
More than that, there is a bond between us that should exclude any exclusion. We are all united together by the Spirit of God and should regard one another as brothers. If we make distinctions, we set one brother above another brother.
B. It is contrary to the judgment of God
In verse 1 James includes the words, “Lord of glory.” Some commentators say that this has an eschatological flavor to it. When Jesus comes again, he comes in his glory. And when he comes he will judge the world. And so these commentators say that James is saying, “Hey, make sure you judge in a way that Jesus would. Jesus will judge men in righteousness. His blessings and curses will be meted out with all fairness. So make sure you do that too.
C. It is contrary to God’s decree of election
Look at verse 5. James points to the fact that God has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith. James is pointing out that typically, it is not usually the rich who are saved. Sure there are many examples of rich people who believe. But Scripture tells us that God has chosen to shame the wise and chooses the lowly things of this world.
So it would be contrary to God’s eternal election if we put a greater emphasis on someone’s notoriety or financial standing.
D. It is contrary to reason – oppression
Verse 6 says “Are not the rich the one’s who oppress you?” James is going to talk more about how the rich are gouging the poor later, but here you see he gets them thinking. It is usually those who are powerful and have money who are the ones taking advantage of people.
Look at the laws that are often made in our country. Corporate elites pay money to the lawmakers or give campaign donations that end up allowing them to write legislation that favors those companies. The little guy gets squeezed out.
James is saying, it is kind of absurd to give special attention to the elites because they are the ones who are making your lives difficult.
E. It is contrary to the golden rule [8-9]
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. You wouldn’t want this to happen to you would you? You wouldn’t want to be treated with contempt or unfairness. So why should you do it to someone else?
F. It is contrary to your eternal welfare [12-13]
This is a sobering truth. It says, “Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.” In other words, you’ve not been fair to others. You haven’t been acting like a Christian. So you should realize that you won’t be treated like a Christian by God. You’ve treated them harshly (i.e. without mercy). Now, as a result of your severity, you shouldn’t expect God to be merciful to you!
Wow. That’s pretty sobering!
G. It is contrary to the gospel [13b]
The last phrase of the passage says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” To tell you the truth, I don’t really like the word triumph. It is an accurate translation, but I don’t know that it gets at the real essence of what the original language means. A better translation would be “Mercy is exalted over judgment.”
We might put it like this: In heaven, there is one thing that takes a greater precedence; one thing that receives more accolades and more esteem than anything else: it is mercy.
Now, you look at the cross and you see how seriously God takes justice. Jesus Christ was judged. As the sin bearer, he came under the wrath and curse of God. So God glorifies his judgment. But in the gospel we are the recipients of mercy. God takes pity on us and doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. He further exalts his mercy by giving us life and transferring our sins over to Christ.
And if we would be partial, what we are doing is acting that is contrary to the gospel.
Last time we were together we said that a Christian is one who has had a radical change in his life. Not just of externals, but of internals. His heart has been renewed and he has been made alive unto God. We said that that change of regeneration was the core of what Christianity is.
And then we said, as a result of that change, the Christian will have several concerns that consume his life. He’s going to be concerned that he honor God by obeying his law. And we specified some of those concerns: such as guarding his speech and being sure his tongue is used in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. We also said that he is going to be concerned to keep himself unspotted from the world. In other words, the thought patterns that are common to the world around us (and contrary to God), he’s going to make sure that he avoids those things.
Another concern that he will have is for those who are disadvantaged. We talked about the widow and orphan. A true Christian will want to care for them and make sure they are not taken advantage of. He’s going to make sure that their rights are maintained and their physical needs are provided for.
Well, our passage this morning takes up right there. Chapter 2 begins by talking about a specific way we go about caring for those who are poor. And we are going to see that it deals with the sin of partiality (some of your versions might say “respecter of persons.”).
Now, personally, I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a sermon on this topic. I don’t think that I’ve ever in all my own messages personally addressed the sin of favoritism. But it is a big deal to James (and in the larger scope of Scripture). But as we will find out today, it is one that we should be on the lookout for.
And so, as we read this passage today, you’re going to find that there are several reasons why this sin should be avoided. Really, when you understand what is said here in this passage, you understand that partiality is really a bad thing. And ultimately, it is in your best interest not to steer clear from any kind of unrighteous discrimination.
But let us remember as we read that this is primarily a concern that should weigh on your heart, because it is a specific way you care for people in need.
James 2:1-13
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Introduction:
A few weeks ago we were at the playground just down the street from us and we got to talking with the assistant basketball coach at Ashland University. Some of you know that his wife has been the head coach there for the last several years. They have been co-coaching together. But recently she took a job at another school. And we asked him if he was going to be able to continue coaching along side of her. He said that he probably would, but the school had to be careful of nepotism.
That word struck me as odd. It isn’t one you often hear. But it is the idea that you give special privileges (in this case a job) to someone just because they are related (and not so much because they are qualified). All in all, it boiled down to showing an undue favoritism.
I was reminded of that this week in studying this passage. This passage, as you note from the first sentence we read, deals with undue partiality and shows how it is expressly forbidden by God.
And this morning we’re going to spend some time meditating on this concept of partiality. And we are going to look at it under three headings: We are going to define it, describe it (by way of illustration and concrete examples), and then destroy it (show why it is completely contrary to the Christian life).
I. Favoritism Defined - What it is
Now, as we define it we should recognize that this is not talking about just showing favor to certain people or canceling out the need to giving proper homage where it is due. We live in a day that wants to erase all social structures and sometimes we are told that we need to treat everyone the same.
But that’s not necessarily true (or it is not fully true). The Bible tells us that we are to show favoritism and that there are people who deserve special attention. For instance, the Bible would have us give women and children special treatment because of their femininity and delicate age. So if you are on a crowded bus and a pregnant lady or an elderly person steps on, Biblically speaking, what should you do? You should get up and offer your seat to that person.
This is something that is really outrageous today: but when you are out and about, you should hold the door open for a lady. There are some people who would say that is outlandish. They’ll say that they can get their own door. They don’t need that special treatment.
And all that stems of course from the idea that all people are completely the same and there are no differences whatsoever between males and females. We’re all protoplasmic blobs that have evolved from the same slime and there is nothing that deserves special regard.
That is terribly unbiblical. The Bible gives us a code of honor and tells us that there are times when we are to treat certain people (or groups of people) with special favor.
What this passage is talking about is a distortion of God’s system of honor. It is when we begin to judge, not on the basis of what God likes, but on the basis of our sinful inclinations.
This is where the passage is really helpful. Because our passage brings this idea of a unbiblical standard.
In verse 1 James uses word προσωποληψία (prosōpolēpsia). The ESV translates it as “partiality.” The NIV uses the word favoritism. Some of the older versions use the phrase “respecter of persons.” Literally it means “receiving the face.” And the idea is that if you are giving someone special attention because you are attracted to them. And, of course, when you turn your face towards something, you end up turning away from someone/thing else. You are discriminating against someone because of a personal preference.
Then in verse 4 you see this spelled out a little more. He says “Have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.”
Now, it is not making distinctions that is wrong, right? We just said that making distinctions can be necessary. We make distinctions between male and female, older and younger. We can see that there are distinctions between classes of people (rich/poor, educated and uneducated). He’s talking about not making the right distinctions.
I heard that this word can mean divide. So you could read it, “Are you not cutting it wrongly?” And all you kids know what this is talking about, right? When it comes down to the last piece of pie in the pie tin, you know that it is very important to cut that piece of pie right down the middle. You better be careful to cut that thing right down the middle, because someone will pitch a huge fit if one piece is slightly bigger than the other. You better not show any favor and cut that so there is more for him than for me.
That’s what this is talking about. You’ve judged wrongly. You’ve cut up things so that one guy gets indulged while the other gets unfairly deprived.
So the point is you have to cut things the way God cuts things. You got to treat people like God treats them. You have to deal with them, not on the basis of what you can get out of them—some selfish motive or standard, but you have to treat them with fairness and just judgments.
This is why the Bible tells us that God does not show prosopolepsia. The book of Romans says that God is not a respecter of persons. He doesn’t judge on the basis of externals or by how he may personally benefit. He judges people based on their moral standing.
God looks at the heart and not on outward appearances. And his judgment is always just and true. It isn’t lightened for some and made heavier for others. Each person gets what he deserves.
And we are to reflect that in our own lives and how we treat others.
II. Favoritism Described -
In our passage here it talks about the rich and the poor. The rich get better treatment. He gets a nice chair in the most prominent spot. While the poor guy gets thrown in the corner. He gets shoved to the side.
You understand the rationale. The rich guy has more to offer. He has money. He likely has some prestige. Your church could get a boost or if you give him some special attention, maybe you’ll get to hob nob with the social elite too. You’ll get to enter into their prestigious ranks as well.
You’ve heard the saying, “All people are equal, its just that some are more equal than others.” That’s getting at this idea of false distinctions.
When you show favoritism, you are not judging like God does. You are not judging on the basis of God’s standards. Rather you are creating your own system of judgment—it is based on your own likes and preferences.
We can do this with our kids. We all know the story of Joseph and how Jacob favored him above the rest of his brothers. He got a special coat—a special gift, and the others were not treated with the same level of respect. Eli indulged his sons and would not discipline them. He held back justice because they had a special place in his heart. When we don’t discipline our children when they act out, what we are doing is perverting God’s system.
Racism is another illustration of this. Racism is a system of judging people and favoring one group of people over another. And it is simply because you prefer their color of skin. You turn your face towards them and give them special attention. The Jim Crow laws were just what we see here: better seats on the bus, better drinking fountains, better places in worship.
We can see this played out in ministry too. Who are we more willing to talk to in church? With whom are we more likely to share the gospel? Does their skin color matter? Does their economic status have weight? I’ve heard people leaving the church and other’s in the church basically countenance it because “they just didn’t fit in.” What are we saying there? They don’t deserve to worship with us because they don’t fit our standards.
It is the idea that someone is deserving of better treatment and we can bend and twist justice. We can give blessings and curses on a shifting scale. It is arbitrary because it is based on our own interest and selfish motivations, rather than on God and his standard.
From time to time you will find that this or that Hollywood person will be arrested and have to go to court. But you’ll find that they get off with what amounts to a slap on the wrist. Their sentence will be shortened or their fine will be reduced. It is all because their face shows up on the TV screen. But some other guy commits the same crime and you’ll find that they throw the book at them. That’s showing partiality. It is not judging the way God would judge or would have us judge.
It happens in the church all the time too. When it comes to church discipline, sometimes that can be perverted. We can go lighter on someone because he is the son of an elder or we can be a little more heavy-handed because doesn’t mean as much to us and “we can make an example out of them.”
In some churches, there are certain families who seem to have a greater say in the decision making process. For instance, a church might say, “We can’t make him a deacon or an elder, because the Smith family doesn’t really like him and they might leave the church.” It doesn’t matter if the man is biblically qualified and has the support of the majority of the rest of the congregation. This one family is getting preferential treatment in that their vote has more sway.
Think about this on a more personal level. Think about it in terms of who might we be more willing to forgive? Are you more likely to forgive someone who is better looking? Has a little more upward social mobility? Someone you like more can be forgiven easier, can’t they? But that’s a sliding standard. That’s not judging as God would.
God’s forgiveness of you isn’t like that. You didn’t deserve to be forgiven. God didn’t forgive you because you were more worthy of it or because he liked you a little more than someone else. There is no bias when it comes to grace.
III. Favoritism Destroyed – Why it is so wrong
A. It is contrary to our mutual standing in Christ
In verse 1 James starts by saying, “My brothers.” James starts out by acknowledging everyone in the church (including himself!) as having equal standing in the church.
More than that, there is a bond between us that should exclude any exclusion. We are all united together by the Spirit of God and should regard one another as brothers. If we make distinctions, we set one brother above another brother.
B. It is contrary to the judgment of God
In verse 1 James includes the words, “Lord of glory.” Some commentators say that this has an eschatological flavor to it. When Jesus comes again, he comes in his glory. And when he comes he will judge the world. And so these commentators say that James is saying, “Hey, make sure you judge in a way that Jesus would. Jesus will judge men in righteousness. His blessings and curses will be meted out with all fairness. So make sure you do that too.
C. It is contrary to God’s decree of election
Look at verse 5. James points to the fact that God has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith. James is pointing out that typically, it is not usually the rich who are saved. Sure there are many examples of rich people who believe. But Scripture tells us that God has chosen to shame the wise and chooses the lowly things of this world.
So it would be contrary to God’s eternal election if we put a greater emphasis on someone’s notoriety or financial standing.
D. It is contrary to reason – oppression
Verse 6 says “Are not the rich the one’s who oppress you?” James is going to talk more about how the rich are gouging the poor later, but here you see he gets them thinking. It is usually those who are powerful and have money who are the ones taking advantage of people.
Look at the laws that are often made in our country. Corporate elites pay money to the lawmakers or give campaign donations that end up allowing them to write legislation that favors those companies. The little guy gets squeezed out.
James is saying, it is kind of absurd to give special attention to the elites because they are the ones who are making your lives difficult.
E. It is contrary to the golden rule [8-9]
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. You wouldn’t want this to happen to you would you? You wouldn’t want to be treated with contempt or unfairness. So why should you do it to someone else?
F. It is contrary to your eternal welfare [12-13]
This is a sobering truth. It says, “Judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.” In other words, you’ve not been fair to others. You haven’t been acting like a Christian. So you should realize that you won’t be treated like a Christian by God. You’ve treated them harshly (i.e. without mercy). Now, as a result of your severity, you shouldn’t expect God to be merciful to you!
Wow. That’s pretty sobering!
G. It is contrary to the gospel [13b]
The last phrase of the passage says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” To tell you the truth, I don’t really like the word triumph. It is an accurate translation, but I don’t know that it gets at the real essence of what the original language means. A better translation would be “Mercy is exalted over judgment.”
We might put it like this: In heaven, there is one thing that takes a greater precedence; one thing that receives more accolades and more esteem than anything else: it is mercy.
Now, you look at the cross and you see how seriously God takes justice. Jesus Christ was judged. As the sin bearer, he came under the wrath and curse of God. So God glorifies his judgment. But in the gospel we are the recipients of mercy. God takes pity on us and doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve. He further exalts his mercy by giving us life and transferring our sins over to Christ.
And if we would be partial, what we are doing is acting that is contrary to the gospel.