I can’t tell you how often I am driving to work and as I am pulling into my parking spot, a passage I am listening to takes on a slightly different perspective, provides a different meaning. As you may know, I grew up in the church upon my salvation at the old age of 21, and delved into studying the old King James Version This passage this time was found in the book of James, chapter 2.

James 2:12 (KJV) So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

This passage spoke to me of end time judgement, of the great white throne, of the end of life. The believer was to be judged by the law of liberty, and that judgment was to be without mercy to those who showed no mercy. The last phrase just seemed to be tacked on. I was never quite sure of the intent or reason it was just hanging onto the last of the verse. Don’t get me wrong – I thought it bode some type of good news for the one being judged, but it just didn’t click!

Fast forward 30 years and I begin to read the ESV, along with other translations.

James 2:12 (ESV) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

This verse seemed to clear up that hanging portion, where James speaks of mercy triumphing over judgement, and it continued to offer great hope, though the judgement spoke of was without mercy!

Enter the paraphrase version of the Message, and this morning as I parked my jalopy, this passage was brand new, and I understand it differently.

James 2:12 (MSG) Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. 2:13 For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.

As the previous versions spoke of judgement, and the law of liberty, I envisioned end of life judgements as I spoke of above. Yet this passage is in the middle of a portion of Scripture that describes a “respect of persons” problem in my life, that is my estimation of a person’s worth based on his or her appearance. Check the chapter out for a quick review.

James then enters into this talk of judgement. Judgement based on a rule that sets us free. Might this rule of freedom, this law of liberty, be that which frees us to be kind, loving joyful, faithful, gentle, and the such?

Might James be addressing how we relate to those less fortunate, and that by refusing to act kindly to the less fortunate, we should expect the same. We should expect to be treated unkindly. Isn’t it true that this is standard operating procedure for this world, to make judgements that result in unkind actions towards the poor?

And that last phrase?

A believers kind mercy will win in the end, though judgement by others may be inevitable, it is not the final word. Kind mercy has greater impact on others than exercising judging attitudes.

James message? Be kind to those less fortunate. It is our calling! This passage is for today, and not for end of life judgements. James is teaching in real world, present time life situations.

I tell you, it blew me away, for the rest of my walk that morning was consumed with how blunt I had been in my understanding of the Word and it’s message to me.

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