Judgment Without Mercy

Faith only groups try to minimize James 2 and his teaching a man is justified by faith, but not by faith only.

Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Jas 2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James is very clear that faith is necessary for justification but not faith only. It should also be mentioned that faith only groups try to say we teach works only, which we don't. James shows neither faith only nor works only is biblical.

What faith only groups do is twist an earlier statement in James 2 to twist the meaning of James' teaching in general.

They actually quote a verse calling for good works to minimize works.

We all need the blood of Christ because we are all sinners, thus we need God's mercy. James points out that breaking one point of law makes you a violator of all law. Thus needing mercy.

Jas 2:4  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Jas 2:6  But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Jas 2:7  Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Jas 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Jas 2:11  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

This means we all need mercy. They argue incorrectly that James 2:10 says there is not one single work necessary for salvation. Yet, v.10 is speaking of transgressions that make us guilty, not the plan of salvation that sets us free.

They even say this means we are free from all law, since we are told to see ourselves being judged by the "Law of Liberty".

Liberty is based upon law, not that which condemns but law that frees. Thus we must have law to be free. Their whole theology is silly.

Within the law of liberty is a stipulation that we must show mercy ourselves.

Jas 2:12  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Jas 2:13  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Showing mercy is a work. They teach showing mercy is not a work but it is.

Jesus said mercy is something you do. Showing mercy is a work, and our freedom is conditional upon showing mercy.

Mat 23:23  WoeG3759 unto you,G5213 scribesG1122 andG2532 Pharisees,G5330 hypocrites!G5273 forG1063 ye pay titheG586 of mintG2238 andG2532 aniseG432 andG2532 cummin,G2951 andG2532 have omittedG863 theG3588 weightierG926 matters of theG3588 law,G3551 judgment,G2920 (G2532) mercy,G1656 andG2532 faith:G4102 theseG5023 oughtG1163 ye to have done,G4160 and notG3361 to leaveG863 the otherG2548 undone.G863

Even faith is in this list of something we do

mercy

faith

judgment

are things we do. Their theology is based upon immature arguments that Jesus and the apostles refute.

Mercy is something that is performed.

Luk 1:72  To performG4160 the mercyG1656 promised toG3326 ourG2257 fathers,G3962 andG2532 to rememberG3415 hisG848 holyG40 covenant;G1242