7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 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.
- Why is showing partiality a sin?
- How does showing partiality relate to mercy?
- What does this passage say about ranking sins?
- How might you show partiality toward various sins?
- Would you want God to show partiality in dealing with sin? If so, how do you want Him to be partial?
- How does being judged by the law of liberty change how you act or speak?
- What does being merciful mean to you? How do you show mercy?
I'm not sure I ever put partiality, judgment, mercy and sin all together before. At least not all four. I wonder if we really recognize just how much partiality we show. Sure there are the surface items, such as race, gender, economic status, and celebrity. What about always choosing to talk to your friends at church assembly instead of talking with the people you don't like as much? Is that just expressing your preferences or is that some level of judgment? As I think about it, I think I am judging whether or not a person is worthy of my recognition and attention. Now talking with me is not necessarily a reward, but if I am not willing to reach out and approach them, I am judging. "Judgment is without mercy to the unmerciful." Mercy has a range, from forgiveness of major hurts to giving your time to someone. I think this passage says that my sins are connected to my partiality towards others. Ouch. Got to do some more looking in the mirror.
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