James makes strong statements. He wants people to understand their actions. He wants people to understand the impact of their actions OR their failure to act. He shows that actions speak loudly to those around you. God takes notice of those actions. He then treats you in a manner similar to what you did to others. Therefore, be merciful… even as God has been merciful to you. Show mercy. Be mercy. Let forgiveness and grace be part of your daily life. Let His love show through you!
PLEASE provide this verse to friends and family everywhere. Ask if they believe that people show mercy to others in our world today. Ask if they would show mercy to someone who had done wrong to them. Listen to how they respond. Share with them the great mercy that God has shown to us. Mercy is not being punished for things that we did. It takes into account the sins and still does not punish us for them because Christ took away all of our sins on the cross. That is Good News!! Take Time For God’s Word© each and every day and at 2:13 am/ pm or as you see mercy being shown to others, then recall this verse and thank Him for His mercy to you. You will want to put this into your phone as a Reminder at 2:13 pm with the title, ‘…if you have been merciful… 2:13 James’. For most of us, mercy doesn’t come easily or naturally to us. We feel that people should pay for their crimes and that they should get the punishment that they deserve… until it comes to us. Then, we hope that those same rules don’t apply…we feel that we deserve mercy. That is why we need to show mercy in the same way that we would expect to receive mercy. That is what God hopes to see in us… a merciful spirit. Try it today… and keep trying it until it becomes a part of who you are… a merciful child of God!
Please pray for all the early responder organizations to a wide range of natural disasters and times of humanitarian crises. We think of the Red Cross (Washington, D.C.) and similar groups who are there wherever there is distress as they provide basic necessities and extra support, as needed. Volunteer if you are able. Support them, if you can. Pray for all of those receiving their services, too. This is an example of showing compassion to others. All are served. All receive the help needed. Stay blessed. Pass it on while showing mercy to those you meet.
