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 Well, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with

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! reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. In

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! case you're wondering, that is the article one of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

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 That is not what I'm preaching on tonight. But it strikes me that that is that there are

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 many things in our society that reveal sin, are there? The idea of sin is kind of very

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 old-fashioned to most people in the streets. But if there's one thing that is sin, then

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 it's prejudice, favoritism, exclusion. We are often told that inclusiveness is a British

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 value and tolerance is a British value, whatever those things mean. And often religion is blamed

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 for violence, for trouble in the world at this weekend is a prime example, isn't it, sadly?

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 And it's thought that if only people could embrace the UN Declaration of Human Rights and live

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 that out, the world would be a better place. Religion is the scourge so often, isn't it,

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 in people's minds. And so as we come to James chapter 2 verse 1, it's perhaps one of those

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 verses in the Bible that many people in our society would say amen to. Or at least the

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 first half of it, anyway. My brothers, show no partiality. If they stop there, people would

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 be quite happy, wouldn't they? It's like the words of Jesus, do not judge others. Even a

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 group like REN, the American group, can sing, I can't say that I love Jesus, that would be

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 a hollow claim. But do not judge others, lest you be judged. What a beautiful refrain, they

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 say. So people like that, don't they? They like the idea of not showing favoritism, not showing

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 impartiality. And we get what James describes here, the situation in a church where the rich

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 people are welcomed in and the poor are disregarded. And we'd like to hope that wouldn't be, wouldn't

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 be in practice if people came to IPC healing, didn't we? And our children gave a good answer

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 when I asked them that question. But James goes further than that. He's not just commanding

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 we don't behave like that. He's commanding them to actually become more Christian in a way

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 when we look at other people. He says, when we look at James chapter 2, he doesn't say,

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 be more inclusive, be more tolerant. He doesn't even say, treat people equally, because we're

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 all made equal. He could say that. In chapter 3 he comes closer, chapter 3 verse 9, where

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 he loots the fact that all people are made in God's image. But what James is saying, he

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 goes deeper than that. He isn't merely after a change in behavior, saying treat people more

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 fairly. Rather he's calling us and his readers to examine our hearts, to see why we behave the

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 way we do. Like an excellent doctor, he's saying, if you are treating people with partiality, it's

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 actually a sign of a deeper disease. It's a symptom of deeper disease. And he wants to get

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 to the root of that problem. So in verse 4, he does get to the root of the problem. He shows

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 us what partiality and favoritism, where it comes from. In verses 5-11 he gives us a few

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 reasons why it's particularly wrong for Christians to behave in that way. And finally in verses

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 12 and 13, he takes us to a solution. Kind of an unexpected solution in some ways, but a

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 solution nonetheless. Let's look at the heart of the problem first. As James is writing this,

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 he's writing into a culture that, even more than our own, respected people of wealth and

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 high status and high standards. I don't know if you've watched Downton Abbey, or you have

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 watched it. I'm afraid I'm a fan, I like it, I'm that kind of person. But if you've watched

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 it, then you'll know, back in the 20s in England, in high society, people were very deferent

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 still to those in high society. Think of Carson the Butler, horrified that anyone should treat

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 Lord Grantham with anything but the utmost respect. If that means nothing to you, don't worry.

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 But it was a bit like that in James' day. And yet James wants to show that this is a problem.

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 And you look at this critique carefully, verse 4. If you've treated the poor badly and the

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 rich well, verse 4, have you not made distinctions among yourself and become judges with evil thoughts?

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 Now it's obvious that if you've treated the rich one way and the poor another way, you have

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 made a distinction. But I think James is actually saying something deeper than this. That word

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 translated distinction here is the same word that James has already used across the column

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 back in chapter 1, verse 6. The very same context, we'll just go back to verse 5 for a second.

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 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God and gives generously to all without reproach,

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 and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith with no doubting, with no division in his mind,

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 no distinction is the way that word is translated in chapter 2. For the one who doubts, the one who

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 has a distinction in his mind, the one who has a division in his mind, is like a wave of the sea

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 that is driven and tossed by the wind. That person does not suppose he will receive anything from

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 the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. See, James says in chapter 1,

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 if you're doubting, if you're divided in your mind, and what you think about God and whether

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 you can answer your prayer, you're a double-minded man. You're suffering from spiritual schizophrenia.

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 You're saying one thing but believing another. So it's interesting he uses the same word here.

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 If there's a division in your thinking, if you're claiming, verse 1, to hold the faith

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 in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you're divided in the way you're treating people, then it shows

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 there's actually a division in your heart. It shows you're a double-minded person. You are

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 actually holding the faith with integrity. So you can translate verse 4 of chapter 2 like

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 this. If you treat the rich man and the poor man differently in this way, then have you

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 not been divided within yourselves, within each one of you? Are you not behaving in a

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 double-minded manner? And to spell out further how serious that is, look at what James says

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 at the end of the verse. If you're doing this, have you not become judges with evil thoughts?

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 So James is calling a spade a spade. He's not saying it's a bit intolerant and a bit exclusive

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 if you treat people differently. He's saying you're becoming a judge with evil thoughts.

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 That's what you're being. So James is really saying the reason you are discriminating against

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 people is that actually you're not being Christian enough. The solution is to actually hold your

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 faith with integrity, to really trust Jesus as Lord. To verse 1, show no partiality as you

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 hold the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now as we read James' description of the church

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 in verses 2 and 3, I think it's easy to think, well we wouldn't do that in this church, would

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 we? We wouldn't treat the rich one way and the poor another. I suspect we wouldn't. But

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 actually how often in our own hearts do we hold prejudices and do we actually treat people

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 differently, albeit subtly? I was walking down the street this week, thinking about these

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 verses, I was preparing this sermon. I thought, what are some of my prejudices? And as I've been

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 praying more shownly, in the next minute, first of all, a guy cycled up a pavement towards me.

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 And being a cyclist, and being self-righteous, I immediately went to him, how could he cycle up

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 a pavement? I would never do that. I really realised, okay, there is one of my prejudices.

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 I think I'm such a nice guy, I wouldn't do this. So I frowned on the man who does. And as if that

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 wasn't enough, 20 seconds later, walking up the pavement behind him, was a lady smoking away,

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 and as she walked past, I thought to myself, what a disgusting habit, because I hate the smell,

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 and because I've never been tempted to do it. Oh dear, immediately, straight away, two of the

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 Stuart's prejudices leap out. As you hold the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, do not show partiality.

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 And yet bias and partiality and judgement, they're part of our human makeup, aren't they?

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 How does it play out in other ways? As Christians, we often still behave in ways that show favoritism

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 to some, don't we? So don't we love it when we hear about some sports star somewhere who

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 has professed faith in Christ? Oh great, we can wheel them out and show us some credibility

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 in being a Christian. You can be a Christian at a sports star. Don't we love that person?

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 Or at work? We find out that a partner in our firm, or a senior manager is a Christian.

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 Aren't we excited as someone we can look up to? And yet we don't so easily overlook the

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 Christian security guard, or the Christian cleaner? Isn't that showing partiality, like James

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 tells us not to? Or how often have I heard people say to me, I went to the Christian Union

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 school once, or the Christian Union University, but I didn't really like it because they were

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 all nerdy. I didn't want to go back. Well I can understand that. I was really involved

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 in the Christian Union School and of the University, and I was a nerd, I still am. But actually

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 when we say that, we don't want to associate with those people because they're people other

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 people that look down on. When we look up to the sports star or the senior manager, and

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 look down on the cleaner, all the nerds in the Christian Union, are we showing partiality?

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 Are we viewing people the way the world views them, not the way Jesus views them? It's actually

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 hard for us to see past status, isn't it? Or attractiveness, or celebrity, or importance

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 to the world's eyes, or wealth. That's why we need to heave verse 1. My brothers, show no

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 partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. Notice the

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 phrase there, the Lord of glory? Jesus isn't called back anywhere else in the New Testament.

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 Why does James use that phrase? He says, when we catch the glory of the Lord Jesus, then all

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 the things this world values pale into insignificance, don't they? What is a celebrity sports car or

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 a hip kid at school compared to the majestic, glorious Lord Jesus? How can we judge by a

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 worldly standard if we're holding faith in this majestic King? So here's the root of the

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 problem, James says. When we're judging others, when we're showing partiality, we're actually

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 being double-minded. We're not keeping our eyes and our faith on who Jesus is and who he

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 has made us by his grace. We're not single-mindedly holding the faith. So he's shown us the root

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 of the problem. He then goes on to give us some reasons why it's so wrong to show partiality.

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 They're not the reasons that the UN Declaration of Human Rights gives, valid as that reason

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 might be. He tells us, first of all, it goes against God's whole practice and attitude.

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 Look at verse 5. Listen, my beloved brothers. Has not God chosen those who are poor in the

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 world to be rich in faith and heirs of a kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?

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 But you have dishonoured the poor man. See what James is saying? You can't dishonour these

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 ones who God himself has honoured with the kingdom. To be an heir of the kingdom means these people

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 who are despised by the world will one day inherit true wealth, inherit a place and a role in God's

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 renewed world. That place where there will be no more suffering. They're the ones of whom it can

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 be truly said they will live happily ever after. That's how God has treated them. How can you

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 treat them badly? James says. Now at this point, why don't they have a problem? Doesn't that mean

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 God is shown favouritism? If he's bestowing his kingdom on these people, isn't he showing

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 favouritism? Well, that's a good question to ask. But we need to think firstly about the

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 identity of the poor that James is talking about, but also the extent of this pattern.

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 So he's not merely talking about the materially poor, and he's not only the poor who are heirs

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 of the kingdom. Let's see what we mean by that. First of all, who are these poors who have

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 God's promised the kingdom? Well, it's not just the materially poor. Let me read two statements

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 of Jesus. First of all, Luke chapter 6, verse 20. Jesus said, blessed are you who are poor,

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 for yours is the kingdom of God. Now that's clarified a bit more by Matthew, in his account.

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 Matthew 5, verse 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 So it's not merely the economically poor, the financially poor, who are part of God's

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 kingdom. So those who often are in that state, but also recognise their spiritual quality,

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 recognise their need for God to help them out, to rescue them, for they have no spiritual

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 resources. And that is the way God seems to love to work. That's why the Apostle Paul can

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 write to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 26. Consider your calling, brothers.

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 Not many of you were wise, according to worldly standards. Not many were powerful. Not many

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 were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame what is wise. God chose

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 what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world,

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 even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. So no human being might boast

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 in the presence of God. See, God delights to bestow his kingdom on those who know they have nothing

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 to offer. So if we disregard those people, we're going against God's pattern. But is it favoritism?

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 Well, no, because it's not just the poor. It's not just the economically poor. Well, there's those

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 who have little of the world's riches who particularly can see their need for God. But James has already

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 written back in chapter 1, verse 10 of the rich believer, who is to boast of his humiliation.

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 So it's not only the materially poor. God isn't showing favoritism here. But we have to face the

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 fact, for most of us who are actually materially wealthy in the world's terms, it is often hard

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 to admit our need for God's grace, our need for utter dependence on him. We so easily trust

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 in the things we own, don't we? That's why Jesus said it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

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 than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Here's the first reason James

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 gives why it's particularly wrong for Christians to show partiality. It's because God doesn't show partiality.

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 But there's a second reason as well. Look down to the end of verse 6.

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 Aren't all the rich the ones who oppress you and the ones who drag you into court?

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 See, there's a second reason. It's just against common sense. It's against God's character

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 in ways. It's also against common sense. You're trying to

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 cozy up to these wealthy people, but otherwise they'll make life hard for you.

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 You're like, he's not saying be mean to them

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 because they're mean to you. He's saying be sensible.

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 Perhaps for us today, James would say

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 don't just try and ingratiate yourself with the media

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 who then often just beat up Christians. That would be a mad thing to do.

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 But he gives us another reason in verse 7.

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 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honourable name

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 by which you were called?

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 Are they not the ones who blaspheme

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 the honourable name

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 which is over you, literally?

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 I don't know what it's like when you go to school

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 or when you went to school. When I went to school

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 or when my kids go to school, we write their names

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 on their coat, on their books, on everything we can

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 that is theirs.

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 Why do we write their names on it?

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 To show us their possession.

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 James is reminding us here

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 that if we are Christians

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 then God has written Jesus' name over us.

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 We belong to him.

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 So when these wealthy people

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 blaspheme the name of Jesus

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 they're blaspheming the ones to whom we belong.

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 When they slander

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 the name of Christ

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 when they slander Christians

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 they're actually slandering

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 our identity

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 slandering the one to whom we belong.

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 That's another reason James says

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 to not show favouritism to them.

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 It's going against God's pattern

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 it's going against common sense

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 it's going against our very identity

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 as those who belong to the Lord Jesus.

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 But most importantly

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 verses 8-11

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 he tells us it's wrong to show partiality

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 because it goes against the law

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 of the king and his kingdom.

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 It goes against the law of the king

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 and his kingdom.

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 Look at verse 8.

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 Go over the page.

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 If I can turn it over.

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 If you really fulfil

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 the royal law

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 according to the scripture

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 you shall love your neighbour as yourself

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 you are doing well.

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 But if you show partiality

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 you are committing sin

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 and are convicted by the law

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 as transgressors.

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 For whoever keeps the whole law

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 that fails in one point

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 has become accountable for all of it.

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 For he who said

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 do not commit adultery

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 also said

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 do not murder.

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 If you do not commit adultery

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 but do murder

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 you have become a transgressor

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 of the law.

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 You may not commit adultery

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 or murder

00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.539
 but if you show partiality

00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:34.059
 says James

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:36.079
 you haven't kept the royal law

00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:37.539
 to love your neighbour

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.500
 as yourself.

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:40.740
 What is this royal law?

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.240
 Well it doesn't mean

00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.640
 the most important law

00:17:43.640 --> 00:17:45.160
 rather it means

00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.880
 the law of the king and his kingdom.

00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:49.319
 James back in verse 1

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:51.440
 James called Jesus the Christ.

00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.640
 Christ

00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:52.660
 Christ

00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:53.700
 anointed one.

00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:55.279
 It's a title of Jesus

00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.039
 as king.

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:57.980
 We're part of his kingdom.

00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.819
 Then in verse 5

00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.500
 he talks about

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.779
 heirs of the kingdom.

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:02.740
 It's all kingdom language.

00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.480
 The royal law

00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:06.019
 is the law of the kingdom.

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:08.079
 It's not one specific law

00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.759
 that's more important

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.220
 than the others.

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.839
 It's the whole body of the law

00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:12.339
 that is enforced

00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:14.099
 under the king's rule.

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:16.440
 It's the Old Testament law

00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.559
 fulfilled and reinterpreted

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.639
 by the Lord Jesus.

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.399
 That is the law

00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.019
 of the king

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:22.099
 and his kingdom.

00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.559
 That's why James quotes

00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:25.279
 Deuteronomy 19 verse 18

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.139
 when he says

00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:27.000
 to love your neighbour

00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.679
 as yourself.

00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:29.460
 It's not a new law.

00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.960
 Yes, Jesus repeated it

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:32.340
 but it wasn't new.

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:35.220
 So what James is doing here

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.220
 is underlining

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:38.400
 how important it is

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.059
 we live the way

00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.940
 our king Jesus

00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:42.039
 would have us live.

00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.819
 See, partiality

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.600
 is more serious

00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:45.460
 than we ever thought

00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.340
 says James.

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.740
 It's not just going

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.900
 against British values

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.500
 of tolerance.

00:18:50.360 --> 00:18:51.660
 It's not just going

00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.579
 against the UN

00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:54.220
 declaration on human rights.

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.880
 more importantly

00:18:55.880 --> 00:18:56.759
 it's an offence

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.940
 to our gracious

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.799
 King Jesus.

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.799
 And remember who he is

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.299
 James says

00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.980
 he is the Lord of glory

00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.559
 you're holding faith in.

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.160
 He is the Lord of glory

00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.559
 who to redeem us

00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.920
 left that glory

00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:11.539
 came to the squalor

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.180
 of the stable

00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:13.579
 was despised

00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.920
 and rejected by man

00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.259
 that he could lift

00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.759
 he became what we are

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.200
 so we can become

00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:20.039
 what he is.

00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.240
 He is the Lord of glory

00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.640
 who looked on us

00:19:23.640 --> 00:19:25.039
 in our shame and weakness.

00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.019
 How dare we

00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.900
 go against his ways

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.759
 and his pattern

00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.440
 and show partiality

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.140
 and favouritism.

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:33.720
 So do you see the problem?

00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.400
 It's a deeper problem

00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.079
 than we ever believed

00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.539
 isn't it?

00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.559
 It's a deeper problem

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.400
 than we ever believed

00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:41.160
 when we show partiality

00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.240
 when I judge the lady

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.799
 with a cigarette

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.500
 or the man

00:19:43.500 --> 00:19:44.819
 riding the pavement

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:46.400
 I'm going against

00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:46.940
 God's attitude

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.420
 I'm going against

00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.000
 common sense

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.559
 I'm going against

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:52.000
 what God has made us to be

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.640
 as his people

00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.079
 and he's going against

00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.920
 the way of the kingdom

00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.440
 and the way of the king himself

00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:58.880
 So what's the cure?

00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.759
 How can we treat people

00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.279
 fairly

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.839
 and not with partiality?

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.539
 Well the UN Declaration

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.240
 of Human Rights

00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.660
 was in a sense

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.700
 attempt to do that

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.680
 when the UN agreed to it

00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:11.539
 on the 10th of December

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.660
 1948

00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.740
 and what's that

00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:15.220
 coming up for 67 years ago

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:17.039
 it was in the hope

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.839
 of it to solve

00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:18.460
 the problem

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:20.360
 of partiality

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.940
 and prejudice

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.480
 and injustice

00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.019
 in the world

00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:23.100
 coming off the back

00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:24.059
 of World War II

00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:26.539
 later on in that declaration

00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.019
 it says this

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.480
 or in the introduction

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.059
 it says this

00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.519
 I should say

00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.000
 that

00:20:31.000 --> 00:20:32.799
 all peoples

00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.460
 and all nations

00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:35.019
 and every individual

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.400
 and every organ of society

00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.019
 should

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.500
 keeping this declaration

00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.880
 constantly in mind

00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.900
 shall strive

00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.600
 by teaching

00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.340
 and education

00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.920
 to promote respect

00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.559
 for these rights

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.279
 and freedoms

00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:47.119
 see what they're saying?

00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:49.019
 Teaching and education

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.399
 should help people

00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.559
 respect these freedoms

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.799
 and then we'll live

00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.200
 in a world

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.899
 without prejudice

00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.940
 without partiality

00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.220
 without injustice

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.680
 but 67 years on

00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.220
 that hasn't worked

00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.579
 has it?

00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:01.220
 Why not?

00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.039
 Because the problem

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.319
 is not with education

00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:08.160
 the problem is not

00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.740
 what we know

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.319
 the problem is

00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.980
 in our hearts

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.440
 isn't it?

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:12.039
 See we need a deeper

00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.240
 cure than someone

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.759
 telling us

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.259
 we should be fair

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.660
 to people

00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:15.660
 we need something

00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:15.980
 that's going to

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.740
 change our hearts

00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.140
 don't we?

00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.460
 And that is actually

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.400
 the cure that's implicit

00:21:20.400 --> 00:21:21.800
 in what James speaks of

00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:22.480
 in verse 12

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:24.420
 It may not sound

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:24.880
 like a cure

00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:25.860
 but believe me it is

00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.740
 we'll see why in a second

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:28.560
 So speak and so act

00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:29.680
 as though it is for us

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.259
 to be judged

00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.420
 under the law

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.279
 of liberty

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:35.820
 That's actually a command

00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:38.100
 a command to constantly

00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:40.160
 be aware that in what we say

00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.779
 and how we act

00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.019
 we're going to be judged

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:44.259
 under the law of liberty

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.879
 Now how is that a cure?

00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:47.940
 Well it's a cure

00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.500
 as we understand

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:50.180
 what the law of liberty is

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:51.019
 What does it mean?

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:53.019
 Let me tell you briefly

00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:53.779
 and I'll try and explain

00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.839
 why this is so

00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:55.619
 The law

00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.460
 to live under

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.259
 the law of liberty

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:58.319
 means to live

00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:58.879
 knowing

00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:00.319
 we need our hearts

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.920
 changed

00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.039
 and to live

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.700
 knowing

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.759
 we're accountable

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.379
 to God

00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:05.599
 It means to live

00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.099
 knowing we need

00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.960
 our hearts changed

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.619
 and to live

00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.079
 knowing

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:08.900
 we're accountable

00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.400
 to God

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.860
 how do I get that?

00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.680
 Well because James

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.259
 has talked about

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.080
 this law of liberty

00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:14.580
 before

00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.900
 It means a law

00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.960
 that brings liberty

00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.600
 He mentioned it

00:22:17.600 --> 00:22:18.740
 back in verse

00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:22.340
 25 of chapter 1

00:22:22.340 --> 00:22:26.120
 The law of liberty

00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:26.500
 is the law

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.540
 that produces liberty

00:22:27.540 --> 00:22:28.620
 Now what is liberty?

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.340
 What is freedom?

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.540
 What is freedom

00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:32.240
 for a fish?

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.580
 If a fish

00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.320
 wants to be free

00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:35.100
 what does it have to do?

00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:38.019
 It has to not

00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:39.139
 get out the water

00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:39.659
 doesn't it?

00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:41.099
 Why?

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:41.980
 Because a fish

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.579
 is designed

00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.240
 to live in water

00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.799
 That's where a fish

00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.759
 is truly free

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:46.039
 And if you've

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:48.039
 seen fish swimming

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.759
 in an aquarium

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.759
 you've seen salmon

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.639
 leaping out the river

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.799
 to get up the river

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.639
 to its breeding ground

00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:53.579
 That's where you see

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.139
 a salmon being

00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.939
 perfectly free

00:22:54.939 --> 00:22:56.639
 Because it's doing

00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.240
 what it's designed

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.779
 to do

00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:00.079
 The law of liberty

00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.279
 is the law

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.480
 that shows us

00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.240
 what we're to be

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.939
 shows us

00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:04.839
 how we're designed

00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.299
 to live

00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.039
 shows us

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.079
 what our purpose is

00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:09.399
 And that is

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:10.059
 God's law

00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.819
 It's not a law

00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:12.000
 on the outside of us

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:13.259
 which cannot change us

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.500
 But it's a law

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.179
 that God writes

00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:15.980
 in our hearts

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.319
 that not only

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.119
 shows us freedom

00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:19.079
 but makes us free

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.899
 Let's turn back

00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.399
 to chapter 1

00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:20.819
 for a second

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.139
 See how James

00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:22.720
 talks about

00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.759
 this law of liberty

00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.259
 It's the law

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.259
 fulfilled

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.359
 and interpreted

00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:27.299
 and applied

00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.279
 by the Lord Jesus

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.799
 So chapter 1

00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:30.459
 verse 18

00:23:30.459 --> 00:23:31.859
 He speaks about it

00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:33.519
 speaks of God

00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.480
 as of his own will

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.279
 that he brought us

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.319
 forth by the word

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.799
 of truth

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.980
 He made us new

00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.380
 people

00:23:38.380 --> 00:23:39.819
 by the word

00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.380
 of truth

00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:41.539
 That word of truth

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.660
 then in verse 21

00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:44.000
 James describes

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.980
 as the implanted

00:23:45.980 --> 00:23:46.559
 word

00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.519
 which is able

00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.140
 to save your

00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:48.559
 souls

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:50.240
 It's God's law

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.059
 written on our

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.519
 hearts

00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.460
 written inside of us

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.539
 not just on tablets

00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.420
 of stone outside

00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.740
 not just in the

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.680
 UN declaration

00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.640
 but written in

00:23:57.640 --> 00:23:58.400
 our hearts

00:23:58.400 --> 00:24:00.460
 this implanted word

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.460
 the gospel message

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.400
 the word of truth

00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.720
 tells us that we

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.420
 are actually more

00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.380
 sinful and wicked

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.000
 than we could ever

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.380
 imagine

00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.620
 It tells us that

00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.560
 our partiality

00:24:08.560 --> 00:24:09.560
 our prejudices

00:24:09.560 --> 00:24:10.900
 lying deep in our

00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.680
 hearts are more

00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.680
 sinful and wicked

00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.620
 than we could ever

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.060
 imagine

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:16.299
 and yet we are

00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.119
 more loved than we

00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.759
 ever dreamed

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.279
 because God has

00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.279
 sent his son

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:23.379
 to be our

00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:23.980
 rescuer

00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.099
 to be our

00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.099
 Lord and saviour

00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.339
 and so now that

00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.419
 implanted word

00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.240
 is God's spirit

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.359
 writing that word

00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.659
 on our hearts

00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:33.919
 and we can only

00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.480
 have that word

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:34.919
 written on our

00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.799
 hearts if we know

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.939
 our need for our

00:24:36.939 --> 00:24:37.859
 hearts to be changed

00:24:37.859 --> 00:24:39.980
 if we know that

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.699
 actually we do not

00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:41.379
 have the resources

00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:43.079
 to love our

00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:44.059
 neighbours ourselves

00:24:44.059 --> 00:24:45.619
 if we know we

00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.639
 cannot do that

00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:48.740
 that is what

00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.359
 brings us to

00:24:49.359 --> 00:24:50.539
 faith in Christ

00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.379
 Jesus that James

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:51.919
 has talked about

00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:52.639
 in verse 1

00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:54.119
 it's as we trust

00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.719
 him as our

00:24:54.719 --> 00:24:55.199
 Lord

00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.360
 to experience

00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:57.100
 the law of

00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.519
 liberty

00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.380
 the spirit

00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.380
 writing his

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.080
 law on our

00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:00.580
 hearts

00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:03.000
 but that doesn't

00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.460
 mean we're just

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.299
 passive does it

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.920
 at the end of

00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.420
 chapter 1

00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.220
 James had told us

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.559
 to be not merely

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.240
 hearers of the

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.980
 word but doers

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.420
 also

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:12.279
 here he tells us

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.279
 to speak and act

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.340
 as those judged

00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.120
 under the law

00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.799
 of liberty

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.240
 and I say hang on

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.559
 what do you mean

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.200
 being judged

00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.819
 under the law

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.279
 of liberty

00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.519
 didn't Jesus

00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.259
 die and take

00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.799
 our judgement

00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:24.580
 well yes and

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.159
 no Jesus

00:25:25.159 --> 00:25:26.139
 died to pay

00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.919
 for our sin

00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:28.099
 so we might

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:28.879
 not be judged

00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.279
 but yet Jesus

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.399
 as judge will

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.019
 judge us by

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.659
 our actions

00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:34.359
 how do those

00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.980
 two things work

00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.259
 out

00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.000
 well let me

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.339
 give a little

00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:36.679
 plug

00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.220
 Sunday school

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.679
 next Sunday

00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.000
 morning

00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.859
 9.30

00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.659
 I'm dealing

00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:39.980
 with this

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.480
 very topic

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.000
 so come along

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.259
 there if you

00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.639
 want to find

00:25:41.639 --> 00:25:42.220
 out more

00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.559
 but for the

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:43.899
 moment we can

00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.279
 say this

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.220
 we will be

00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.599
 judged

00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:48.099
 on our actions

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.419
 but for those

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.699
 of us who

00:25:49.699 --> 00:25:50.599
 trust in Christ

00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.039
 those of us

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.319
 who have

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.319
 God's law

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:52.759
 written on

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.419
 our hearts

00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:55.339
 will be

00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:55.720
 saying that

00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.119
 all our

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.679
 actions are

00:25:56.679 --> 00:25:57.399
 by grace

00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:59.159
 Christ has

00:25:59.159 --> 00:25:59.899
 died for our

00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:00.339
 sin

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.159
 we will not

00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.839
 be condemned

00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.579
 and all our

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.220
 actions in this

00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.879
 life flow

00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.899
 from his grace

00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.460
 flow from the

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.000
 fact that the

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:07.779
 law of liberty

00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.460
 is written on

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.059
 our hearts

00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:13.700
 so when we

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.480
 are judged

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:16.000
 if we have

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.740
 lived as those

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.220
 who are under

00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:17.779
 the law of

00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.099
 liberty

00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.599
 lived as those

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:21.199
 who know we

00:26:21.199 --> 00:26:22.240
 cannot keep

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.819
 the law on

00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.339
 our own

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:24.599
 but know we

00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.219
 need God's

00:26:25.219 --> 00:26:25.859
 grace and

00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.279
 forgiveness

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.980
 and we will

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.119
 not face the

00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.859
 guilty verdict

00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.639
 on that day

00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:31.799
 but we've seen

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.299
 that what we've

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.559
 done the good

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.099
 we've done has

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:35.399
 been by grace

00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.459
 because the law

00:26:36.459 --> 00:26:37.039
 is written on

00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.719
 our hearts

00:26:37.719 --> 00:26:43.399
 as John Calvin

00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.240
 said the law

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:44.879
 of liberty

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:46.319
 is really the

00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:47.039
 same as the

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.099
 mercy of God

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.859
 is coming to

00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.199
 God

00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.619
 coming to

00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.000
 Christ

00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.719
 saying we

00:26:52.719 --> 00:26:53.199
 know we

00:26:53.199 --> 00:26:53.719
 need forgiveness

00:26:53.719 --> 00:26:55.000
 we know we

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.379
 need that

00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:55.879
 mercy

00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:57.279
 but also we

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.480
 know we're

00:26:57.480 --> 00:26:58.179
 accountable to

00:26:58.179 --> 00:26:58.359
 him

00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.859
 don't we

00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.099
 think of what

00:27:00.099 --> 00:27:00.619
 Jesus taught

00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.179
 us to pray

00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:03.339
 forgive us our

00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.399
 sins as we

00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:05.119
 forgive those

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.799
 who sin against

00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:06.240
 us

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.319
 it's not that

00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.379
 us forgiving

00:27:08.379 --> 00:27:09.000
 other people

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.119
 merits God

00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:10.939
 forgiving us

00:27:10.939 --> 00:27:11.399
 it's the other

00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:11.799
 way around

00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.099
 isn't it

00:27:12.099 --> 00:27:13.099
 God forgives us

00:27:13.099 --> 00:27:13.859
 so we're free

00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.679
 to forgive others

00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:16.079
 so it is here

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:17.059
 in James chapter 2

00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:18.579
 God in Christ

00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.339
 has shown mercy

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:20.579
 to us so we

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.419
 can show mercy

00:27:21.419 --> 00:27:22.099
 to others

00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:24.259
 that's what

00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.919
 James comes on

00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.299
 to say in

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.960
 verse 13

00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.839
 for judgment

00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:28.000
 is without mercy

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.899
 to one who

00:27:28.899 --> 00:27:29.659
 has shown no

00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.159
 mercy

00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:32.799
 see if we're

00:27:32.799 --> 00:27:33.619
 still proud

00:27:33.619 --> 00:27:34.779
 if we're still

00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.919
 holding on to

00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.759
 our own ability

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.559
 to keep God's

00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:37.859
 law

00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.919
 if we think we

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.399
 don't need

00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:40.220
 Christ's mercy

00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:41.460
 we'll end up

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:41.779
 not being

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.299
 merciful to

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:42.559
 others

00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.139
 or if we're

00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.539
 not being

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:44.079
 merciful to

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.259
 others

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.500
 and we're

00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.279
 showing favoritism

00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.319
 it shows

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.680
 we don't

00:27:47.680 --> 00:27:48.480
 really recognize

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.200
 our need

00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:49.799
 and our

00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.160
 mercy

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.879
 our need

00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:51.339
 for God's

00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:51.660
 mercy

00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:54.399
 if we find

00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:55.200
 our status

00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.779
 our sense

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.200
 of self

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.899
 our identity

00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:58.259
 in our own

00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.339
 achievements

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:00.559
 or in the

00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:00.960
 things the

00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.879
 world values

00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.759
 be it our

00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.160
 wealth

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.339
 our education

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.480
 our nice

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:06.039
 behavior

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:08.480
 our career

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.799
 our family

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.839
 if we find

00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.279
 our identity

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:12.980
 in those things

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.319
 then we'll

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.740
 end up disparaging

00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.299
 looking down

00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:15.660
 at anyone

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.000
 who doesn't

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.480
 share in

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.039
 those things

00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:18.220
 don't we

00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.900
 it's like

00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:20.359
 James is

00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.120
 exhorting us

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:22.160
 to live as

00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:22.480
 those who

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:22.799
 have the

00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.319
 law of

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.680
 liberty

00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.079
 written on

00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.500
 our hearts

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.000
 to live as

00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.279
 those who

00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:25.960
 are Christ's

00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.220
 people

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.380
 because we've

00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.839
 turned to

00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.620
 him for

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.120
 mercy

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.819
 if we show

00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.180
 no mercy

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.519
 to others

00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.120
 consistently

00:28:32.120 --> 00:28:33.319
 and disregard

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:33.900
 others

00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:35.120
 then we will

00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.720
 not receive

00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.640
 mercy on

00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.380
 judgment day

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:39.380
 however insofar

00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:39.859
 as we do

00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.400
 show mercy

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.740
 to others

00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.380
 verse 13

00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.059
 is telling us

00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.140
 then God's

00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.039
 mercy triumphs

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.359
 over his

00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:44.700
 judgment

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.539
 because Christ

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.579
 has taken

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.379
 the condemnation

00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.119
 for us

00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:51.119
 see this is

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.899
 the only cure

00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:53.200
 for partiality

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.019
 and favoritism

00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:55.519
 see our

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.019
 prejudice and

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.759
 favoritism

00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.980
 arise from

00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.579
 our pride

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.119
 inside us

00:28:59.119 --> 00:28:59.559
 our natural

00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:00.079
 desire

00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.700
 to feel good

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.399
 about ourselves

00:29:02.399 --> 00:29:03.299
 and therefore

00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:03.879
 find someone

00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:04.319
 else to look

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.779
 down on

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.500
 that's why I

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.819
 felt the

00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.159
 pang of

00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.879
 self-righteousness

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.180
 and God

00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.899
 cycled up

00:29:09.899 --> 00:29:10.240
 the pavement

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:10.859
 towards me

00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.980
 that's why I

00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.519
 felt the pang

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.619
 of self-righteousness

00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.339
 as the lady

00:29:14.339 --> 00:29:14.819
 was smoking

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.440
 her cigarette

00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.259
 on the pavement

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:16.980
 next to me

00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.799
 but that's

00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.460
 ridiculous isn't

00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.599
 it

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.079
 I need to

00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:21.440
 remember my

00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:22.180
 identity is not

00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.599
 in keeping

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:23.339
 trivial laws

00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:23.639
 about where

00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:23.940
 you ride

00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.379
 your bike

00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.819
 or trivial

00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.539
 health advice

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.160
 about smoking

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:29.039
 my identity

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.480
 is in the Lord

00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.200
 Jesus Christ

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.740
 and I need

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.339
 his forgiveness

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.379
 and his mercy

00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.160
 so I don't

00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:33.559
 look down

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.139
 and exclude

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.660
 others

00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:37.100
 if we see

00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:37.620
 ourselves as

00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:37.940
 naturally

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:38.340
 helpless

00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:39.019
 naturally

00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:39.540
 bigoted

00:29:39.540 --> 00:29:40.380
 naturally

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.940
 partial

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.840
 naturally

00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:42.440
 not loving

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.860
 others

00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.600
 naturally

00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:44.100
 deserving

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.460
 God's

00:29:44.460 --> 00:29:44.800
 judgment

00:29:44.800 --> 00:29:45.500
 and we

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.800
 look out

00:29:45.800 --> 00:29:46.320
 ourselves

00:29:46.320 --> 00:29:47.360
 for a

00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:47.640
 cure

00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:48.480
 we'll turn

00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:48.960
 to Jesus

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.440
 the Lord

00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:49.940
 of glory

00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:51.420
 and remember

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:52.120
 how he took

00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:53.000
 pity on us

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:55.200
 in our

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.779
 helplessness

00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.380
 he left the

00:29:56.380 --> 00:29:57.380
 glory of heaven

00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.480
 for the shame

00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.040
 and dirt

00:29:59.040 --> 00:29:59.560
 of life

00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.220
 on earth

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.180
 he ate

00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:02.019
 with tax collectors

00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.519
 and sinners

00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.000
 for those who

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.500
 were religious

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.140
 he looked down

00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.360
 on

00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:07.339
 he was an

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.959
 outsider

00:30:07.959 --> 00:30:09.639
 with nowhere

00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.139
 to lay his

00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:10.479
 head

00:30:10.479 --> 00:30:12.240
 he was

00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.740
 crucified

00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.459
 the lowest

00:30:13.459 --> 00:30:14.000
 of low

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.439
 criminals

00:30:14.439 --> 00:30:15.339
 with a

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.719
 crowd

00:30:15.719 --> 00:30:17.079
 mocking him

00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.419
 all so

00:30:18.419 --> 00:30:18.639
 he could

00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.039
 rescue

00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.699
 bigots

00:30:19.699 --> 00:30:20.339
 and law

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.879
 breakers

00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.919
 like me

00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:22.519
 and you

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:24.679
 so we

00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:24.919
 need to

00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.939
 go to him

00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:26.479
 for mercy

00:30:26.479 --> 00:30:27.559
 find our

00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.339
 true identity

00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.099
 in him

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.419
 so as we

00:30:30.419 --> 00:30:30.819
 do that

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.219
 that all

00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:31.659
 prejudice

00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.219
 and pride

00:30:32.219 --> 00:30:32.579
 is cut

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:32.899
 off

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:35.259
 some

00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.460
 of us

00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.560
 who

00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:35.860
 profess

00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.120
 faith

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.240
 in

00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.519
 Christ

00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:36.840
 need to

00:30:36.840 --> 00:30:36.960
 take

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.080
 this

00:30:37.080 --> 00:30:37.380
 seriously

00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:37.759
 don't we

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:40.340
 we

00:30:40.340 --> 00:30:40.580
 cannot

00:30:40.580 --> 00:30:40.840
 show

00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.580
 partiality

00:30:41.580 --> 00:30:42.040
 or holding

00:30:42.040 --> 00:30:42.440
 faith

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.840
 in the

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.000
 Lord

00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.519
 of glory

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:45.080
 so I

00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:45.420
 wonder who

00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:45.840
 is it we

00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:46.300
 discriminate

00:30:46.300 --> 00:30:47.000
 against

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:48.160
 maybe it's the

00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.560
 prayer that you

00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:49.100
 need to pray

00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.980
 as I did

00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.519
 walking down the

00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.320
 pavement last week

00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.480
 how are we being

00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.040
 double minded

00:30:53.040 --> 00:30:53.600
 and the spirit

00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.420
 helps us see that

00:30:54.420 --> 00:30:54.920
 don't we

00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.920
 some of us here

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:57.460
 are believers

00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:57.860
 in the Lord

00:30:57.860 --> 00:30:58.160
 Jesus

00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.279
 perhaps we

00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.800
 feel like we're

00:30:59.800 --> 00:31:00.300
 the marginal

00:31:00.300 --> 00:31:00.900
 ones

00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.800
 we're the

00:31:01.800 --> 00:31:02.200
 ones who

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.740
 live down

00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:04.840
 in that case

00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.320
 what we need

00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:05.720
 to see here

00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.080
 is the Lord

00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:06.860
 does love you

00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:08.720
 this Lord

00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.279
 who chooses

00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:10.320
 the foolish

00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:10.779
 things of the

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.340
 world to shame

00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.980
 the wise

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.680
 the Lord

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:12.980
 who has

00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.180
 chosen you

00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.600
 as he puts

00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:16.120
 it in verse

00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.759
 5

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.259
 chosen the poor

00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.700
 in the world

00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.240
 to be rich

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:19.740
 in faith

00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.320
 and heirs

00:31:20.320 --> 00:31:20.860
 of the kingdom

00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:23.279
 rejoice

00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.240
 that you are

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.700
 loved

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.700
 by the Lord

00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:27.480
 some of us

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.740
 here

00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.819
 maybe do not

00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.539
 hold the faith

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.019
 in the Lord

00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.799
 Jesus Christ

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.279
 perhaps you

00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.180
 love the UN

00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.940
 article

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:35.379
 on human rights

00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.839
 the UN

00:31:35.839 --> 00:31:36.339
 declaration

00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.519
 perhaps you

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.299
 love a more

00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.379
 inclusive society

00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.420
 it would be

00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:40.879
 great if we

00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.139
 were all in

00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:41.559
 peace with

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:41.839
 each other

00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:42.619
 wouldn't it

00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:44.579
 and yet look

00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:44.980
 in your own

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.460
 heart

00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:47.819
 do you really

00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.200
 go through

00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.759
 life without

00:31:48.759 --> 00:31:49.839
 showing partiality

00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:54.740
 do you really

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:56.199
 not exclude

00:31:56.199 --> 00:31:56.619
 others

00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.500
 in your own

00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:57.819
 mind

00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:59.839
 what hope

00:31:59.839 --> 00:32:00.579
 do you have

00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.339
 in the judgment

00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:02.339
 if it's your

00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:02.839
 own record

00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:03.419
 you're relying

00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:03.720
 on

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.720
 when you come

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.259
 to Jesus

00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:06.939
 when you come

00:32:06.939 --> 00:32:07.459
 to this Lord

00:32:07.459 --> 00:32:08.000
 of glory

00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.859
 this Lord

00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.359
 who has shown

00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:09.859
 mercy

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:12.599
 accept with

00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.079
 meekness

00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.500
 the word

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.119
 implanted in

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:14.559
 you that he

00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.019
 might write

00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.579
 his law

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:15.939
 on your

00:32:15.939 --> 00:32:16.319
 heart

00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:18.339
 so speak

00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:19.059
 and so act

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.440
 as those

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:19.619
 who have

00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.079
 been judged

00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.519
 under the

00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:20.859
 law of

00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.179
 liberty

00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:22.059
 for judgment

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.659
 is without

00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:23.220
 mercy

00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.039
 to one

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.279
 who has

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.779
 shown no

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.200
 mercy

00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.980
 yet if you

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.399
 come to

00:32:27.399 --> 00:32:27.859
 Christ for

00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:28.259
 mercy

00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:30.079
 mercy triumphs

00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.819
 over judgment

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.779
 let's pray