JAMES DAY 15

DAY 15
SEE THE JUDGE
James 2:12-13

James tells us the final way to love below the surface in v.12-13: "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom… " 

A lot of modern Christians erase judgment from Christianity. Some try to correct harmful use of God’s judgment that tries to literally scare the hell out of people. That’s a commendable goal, but “misuse does not cancel right use.” Forgetting what we talked so much about in our Revelation series, that God will judge us all, has not made people less judgmental. In fact, we might even be more judgmental without God’s judgment.

James seems to think so. If you see the real judge, you’ll be better able to love below the surface. You’ll know that you’ll be held accountable for how you treat people. You might think nobody knows how you’re thinking about people, but God knows and one day you’ll have to own that to God’s face. You’ll likely judge less if you know you’ll be judged. You’ll show others more mercy because you want to be shown mercy. You’ll show others more mercy because you’ve already been show mercy. You might find yourself treating people much better if you remind yourself every day, “I will die and I will be judged.” 

Faith that works loves below the surface. See like God sees, see yourself in others, and see the real judge. Do that, and you’ll love below the surface.

REFLECT
How can you train yourself to remember you will be judged by God?

PRAY
Lord, I’m not the judge, you are. Your assessment is the only one that really counts. Teach me to remember that my life will end and I will be held accountable. Amen.