My God and My Country

Word of God

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God

Matthew 4:4

The Epistle of James 2:13

(Study notes by Matthew Henry Edited/Prefaced by Doktor Riktor Von Zhades)

13 For there shall be condemnation merciless to him that showeth not mercy, and mercy rejoiceth against condemnation.

Brethren:

There is much to say upon this verse, herein however is what one might wish to retain in thought and meditation. First, we can judge, if that judgment is based on God’s word of righteousness, yet that judgment must likewise be made without playing the role of the hypocrite. Indeed that is a fine line upon which to thread. Perhaps it might be best to discern and point out, call out evil from good, and sin from righteousness, and leave all actual judgment and condemnation to our Creator, who is without sin. Second, our judgments must always be tempered with mercy, and forgiveness, as expressed through Christ. If one recalls in the Gospel of Luke the parable of the good Samaritan, wherein at the end of the parable Christ asks of him that questioned Him, which of the three served the man best, and he that questioned stated, the one that cared for him and showed him mercy. To which Christ replied go and do likewise. Also recall if you will in Exodus 20:5-6 that our Creator speaks to the children of Israel, that they will be punished and judged by Him if they seek false Gods, yet in the next verse it is stated that he will always show mercy to those that love Him. My friends, God is a rewarder of those that seek Him, and follow in His ways. Let us therefore strive to seek, and emulate Him in ways of discernment, and mercy.

Perhaps this quote will serve best to illustrate what is trying to be put across here in this study. It is Portia’s speech to Shylock from the Merchant of Venice.

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown...But mercy is above this sceptered sway. It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings. It is an attribute to God himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.”

Justice via judgment won’t save our souls. We all ask for and seek mercy, and yet this asking also teaches us to show mercy to others as well. Showing mercy is akin to forgiveness, in fact it is sown with it. - Dr. R.V.Z

“To him that has shown not mercy to the poor brethren, and distressed members of Christ, but has shown respect of persons to the hurt of the poor, and has despised and oppressed them, instead of relieving and comforting them; so the rich man, that neglected Lazarus at his gates, is refused a drop of water to cool his tongue; and the servant that cruelly insisted on his fellow servant's paying him all he owed, justly incurred the displeasure of his Lord, and was by him delivered to the tormentors; and that servant that beats his fellow servants will be cut asunder, and, have his portion with hypocrites; and such who have seen any of the brethren of Christ hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison, and have showed no regard for them, will hear, "Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire". This is to say that is it merciful men, who have shown mercy to the poor saints, will not be afraid of the awful judgment, but rather rejoice or glory, as the word signifies, in the view of it, since they will obtain mercy at that day, and hear, Come, ye blessed of my Father (Matthew 25:34-36) so the Ethiopic version renders it, he only shall glory in the day of judgment, who hath showed mercy; the Alexandrian copy reads in the imperative, "let mercy glory" and the Syriac version, "be ye exalted by mercy over judgment". - John Gill 17th Century Theologian