Yet, again. This will be highly unpopular.
Verses like these, are why I no longer consider myself a grace teacher. Rather, I’m a full counsel teacher who teaches from the lense of grace.
In chapter 2, James is talking about the royal law - which is loving your neighbor as yourself. He goes on to write about how if you break one little OT law, you’ve broken the whole thing.
He then transitions to the new covenant’s law of liberty, and James is basically saying if you are aware of your freedom in Christ, and misuse use that freedom by NOT blessing and being Jesus to others …. we will face judgment here in the earth (yes, demonic accusation of our unbelief) for abusing our freedom.
If you are terrible just a little to people, well, you’ve violated the law of liberty.
“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.”
James 2:12-13
I want to break this part down.
“For judgment is without mercy”
If you stand before a judge in a courtroom who has no mercy for you - you’ve got a huge problem.
“to one who has shown no mercy.”
And this lack of mercy from the judge is shown to those who have not shown mercy to others under the law of liberty.
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
This part has been abused by extreme gracists to say there is no judgment because mercy will eventually triumph over it.
False.
This is saying OUR mercy to others will triumph over any judgment towards US looming from the accusations of darkness. Yes. When we are merciful to others - the demonic realm has nothing to charge us with!
I love the book of James, it fascinates me!