I have increasingly witnessed in this world a lean toward special privilege for certain people. Whether it is for the rich, the physically disadvantaged, or the socially constructed. There seems to be a leaning to giving preferential treatment to grant them certain things that others may not be granted. Is this not judgment or showing partiality? I believe it is just that, judging them based on a characteristic that others may not be privy and being partial to that characteristic.
James speaks to this judgment and partiality in the first passage found in chapter two of his letter. He make the case against by simply speaking to the idea of granting a seat in an assemble to one wearing “fine clothing” and asking the one in “shabby clothing” to stand against the wall. This is judging or showing partiality based on status and not treating everyone equally.
“13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13 (ESV)
He then speaks to this judgment in relation to providing mercy. Here James makes the case for simply providing mercy to all and that provides the equality that is warranted in the situation.
I have to remember that it is not about forcing things to create equality. In fact, by forcing things, I am showing partiality to the one over the other in a reverse situation. By granting the seat to the one in “shabby clothing” over the one in “fine clothing” I am creating the judgment and partiality on the reverse basis. I have to conscious of simply providing the seat to the one who is there and directing the other to the wall to stand. I am to provide mercy regardless of who and only in regard to the circumstance.
Mercy: a fortunate circumstance. Merriam-Webster Online
The above is one of the defined meanings of mercy. The fortunate circumstance James was referring to is who arrived first to get the seat in the assembly. That is the person to receive the seat and not based on what or how they are dressed. Yes, there is certainly more to the definition of mercy, yet it seems to me that this one gets overlooked in favor of the others. I believe we should be holding to the full and complete definition and not simply picking and choosing.
James indicates that we are to lean on the side of mercy and leave the judgment to God. When I am doing so, equality is realized as we err on the side of the immediate situation and not something that was generated due to someone’s station in life.
When have you judged as opposed to providing mercy? Have you every looked at the situation and granted someone something based on who they were and not on the situation itself? What if you were to look at and provide equal treatment of all through mercy in all situations as opposed to judging the individual?
Trevor's Thoughts 