Fri Aug 14

Listen up, little ones

Especially for the littles in your household.

Listen for the words favor or partiality.

Reading

James 2:1-13-Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Optional Reading

Lev 19:13-18

Keys for kids

Also for the littles. Young households might choose, after Keys for Kids, to go directly to praise and prayer.

Christians shouldn't play favorites.
God doesn't play favorites with His people.
We must be merciful as God is merciful.

Questions

(Some read the ?s before the notes/ ask them after.)

Why should we not show favoritism?
Why should we show mercy?
How do mercy and judgment connect?

Notes

(See Saturday for authors.)

Favouritism is wholly inconsistent with discipleship to the Lord.
The crowning truth, nevertheless, is that 'Mercy triumphs over judgement!' (2:13). This is not to say that mercy and judgement are in contradiction of one another in the mind and purpose of God. On the contrary, they are in perfect harmony because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And this is reflected in the way the Christian handles mercy and judgement. Mercy points to the cross. The believer loves his Saviour and therefore, like him, delights in mercy. But he can also look judgement in the face, as he trusts in the mercy of Christ with a holy confidence. The delightful paradox is that the one who lives (1) according to the law of liberty and (2) as one who is being judged is precisely the person who enjoys the practice of godliness and the quiet assurance of salvation! Mercy 'triumphs' in the Christian's life, because the Christian salvation is both mercy received and mercy lived out-and all because of the infinite love and mercy of God in Jesus Christ! Having been so blessed with the unmerited free grace of God, the Christian cannot but recoil from the evil of discrimination in the church, whether on economic, social, racial or any other grounds. Mercy truly received issues in mercy unconditionally shared.

Gordon J. Keddie, The Practical Christian: The Message of James, Welwyn Commentary Series

Swedish Method questions

See the Sunday notes for meaning of the symbols.

Praise

Psalm 25a, 51d

Prayer

Ask God that you would be merciful to others even as He has been to you.
Pray for the hearing of God’s Word preached this Lord’s Day’s.
Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.