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Welcome to Day 2132 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 14– Patience In Correction – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 01/16/2022 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Patience In Correction Today is the fourteenth and final message in our series on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James. Last week we continued in James 5:13-18, focusing on Patience Through Payer. As we conclude this section on patience, we want to learn how to have Patience in Correction. So please turn with me in your Bibles to James 5:19-20, or join me on page 1885 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. Just two powerful verses as we conclude this letter from James.  I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 5:19-20  My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.   Lifeguards who have rescued swimmers from drowning, know better than most, that victims tend to fight their rescuers in the hysteria of that terrifying moment. They will even pull their rescuers under the water in an uncontrollable panic. Logical reasoning should tell them that if the lifeguard goes under, so does their only hope of surviving. But a drowning person isn’t thinking reasonably. Unfortunately, the same is often true when a believer attempts to rescue those floundering spiritually because their faith has suffered a shipwreck, and they have gone overboard.   The late well-known Professor Howard Hendricks of Dallas Theological Seminary, tells the story of a young man who, after straying far from the Lord, was finally brought back by the help of a friend who loved him unconditionally. When he was fully restored, Dr. Hendricks asked him what it felt like when he was straying from God.   The man answered, “It seemed like I was being pulled farther and farther out to sea, into deep water. And all my friends were standing on the shoreline hurling accusations at me about justice, condemnation, and sin.” Then he added, “But one Christian brother swam out to get me, and he wouldn’t let me go. I fought him, but he withstood my fighting. Finally, he grasped me, put a life jacket around me, and pulled me to shore. By the grace of God, he was the single reason I was restored—the man refused to let me go.”   James doesn’t want us to let anybody go, either. Throughout his letter, he stresses the need for the faith that works. For example, he asks, “If you say you believe as you should, why do you behave like you shouldn’t?”   Now, at the climactic conclusion of the book, James instructs us on how to deal with those who believe like they should, but behave like they shouldn’t.   James has developed the theme that real faith produces genuine patience for the last several verses. But genuine patience is different from passive permissiveness. Under the excuse of “patiently waiting on the Lord,” Christians frequently stand back and “patiently” watch a fellow Christian sink deeper into sin. But, don’t forget that genuine patience is...

Welcome to Day 2131 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 13– Patience Through Prayer – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 01/09/2022 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Patience Through Prayer We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James. Last week we continued in James 5 and focused on verses 7-12. This message is titled, Patience in Suffering. This week we will study James 5:13-18, so join me on page 1885 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 5:13-18  Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.  Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.     Like a car without fuel, life without prayer grinds to a halt. The prayer-starved Christian fails to shine like a lamp without electricity in a dark, desperate world. (Unplug Lamp) But show me a man or woman of prevailing prayer, and I’ll show you a man or woman whose faith is deep. Ernest, fervent prayer moves the heart of the omnipotent God of the universe. Yet far too many Christians fill their lives with dizzying activities, leaving no time for this crucial ingredient that can transform mere human actions into divine acts of power.   From the introduction to James’s letter, you may recall that James was well-known for his prayer life. He had the nickname “Camel Knees” because he spent so much time on his knees in prayer that they resembled the calloused knees of a camel. As one would expect from a book written by a man famed for prayer, the theme comes up repeatedly in the letter. In 1:5, James wrote, If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  And in 4:2, he said, Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. Now, at the climax of his letter, James develops the theme of prayer more fully.   Here in 5:13-18, James continues to develop the idea of how we are to conduct ourselves with patience as we await the Lord’s return: true faith exhibited through patience, manifests itself in prayer. In the face of every obstacle, whether sickness or sin, the correct response is prayer. Prayer reflects an attitude of genuine faith and reveals patient endurance as we rely on God to handle life’s struggles in His timing and according to His promises. As such, prayer becomes an essential mark of authentic faith.   James refers to two ends on the spectrum of...

Welcome to Day 2130 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 12 – Patience In Suffering – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 01/02/2022 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Patience in Suffering We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James. Before our Advent series and last week’s Christmas message, our previous message covered James 5:1-6 which dealt with  Warnings to the Wealthy, and we learned why wealth should not be our primary source of Thankfulness. Today we pick up where we left off as we continue in James 5 and focus on verses 7-12. This message is titled, Patience in Suffering. So join me on page 1885 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 5:7-12 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. Suppressing the Revenge Reflex We’ve all experienced the hurt of mistreatment and misunderstanding. Such hurts come in various forms— an intolerable working situation, domestic conflicts, overbearing parents, rebellious children, a treacherous friend, a petty parishioner, and a gossipy neighbor. Our natural tendency is to retaliate—to return evil for evil, an eye for an eye. Or we bottle it up and allow a slow, bubbling ferment. (Shake a bottle of pop) But God has a better idea than either bottling up or bursting out! James reveals this alternative. He tells us what to do when we’ve been wronged and how to do it.   James 5:7 simultaneously connects and contrasts with the previous section. First, James changes his audience from “you rich people” (5:1) to brothers and sisters (5:7). You will remember that James addressed oppressive wealthy people in 5:1-6, exposing their wrongs and calling for repentant humiliation in light of the coming judgment of God. Now, beginning in 5:7, James addresses the victims of their ugliness: Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.   James continues with the theme of Christ’s coming in judgment when he returns a second time. While persecutors should fear Christ’s coming, believers, anticipate it through patiently enduring suffering. Don’t miss that James has shifted to believers in this section. The man without Christ is frustrated if he tries to bring patience into persecution, mistreatment, or everyday afflictions. Yet, through the work of

Welcome to Day 2129 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 11 – Warnings To The Wealthy – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 11/21/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Warnings To The Wealthy We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James.  Last week we focused on The Perils of Playing God, covering Warnings against Judging Others and Warnings About Self-Confidence. Today while we are focused on Thanksgiving, we will explore Warnings to the Wealthy and learn why wealth should not be our primary source of Thankfulness.  So join me on pages 1884-5 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 5:1-6 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.     Let me take you back about 100 years.  In 1923, an elite group of businessmen met at the luxurious Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. The roster included some of the early twentieth century's most influential, famous, and wealthy moguls. These men were among them:

• Charles M. Schwab—president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation
• Richard Whitney—president of the New York Stock Exchange
• Albert Fall—Secretary of the Interior under President Harding
• Jesse Livermore—Wall Street tycoon
• Ivar Kreuger—head of a global monopoly of match manufacturers

  These heavy hitters controlled more wealth than the total assets of the United States Treasury at the time. Indeed these men would become models of the entrepreneurial spirit and stellar examples of financial success. But fast-forward about twenty-five years or so and look back on the courses of their lives:

• Schwab—died $300,000 in debt in 1939 (nearly 6 million in today’s money)
• Whitney—served time at Sing Sing prison for embezzlement
• Fall—served time for misconduct in office, leaving behind a ruined reputation
• Livermore—committed suicide in 1940, describing himself as “a failure.”
• Kreuger—shot himself in 1932 after his global monopoly collapsed!

  Buried beneath the rubble of humiliation, defeat, crime, sickness, and financial collapse, these men—along with a number of their colleagues—died in a painful, pathetic condition. Their wealth, power, and prestige did nothing to soothe the personal anxiety and guilt they suffered in life. The reality is that great intelligence and hard work can make a person wealthy. But it takes God-given wisdom and supernatural humility to manage wealth and influence.   Last week James warned us against playing God instead of submitting to God’s sovereignty...

Welcome to Day 2128 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 10 – The Perils of Playing God – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 11/14/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – The Perils of Playing God We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James.  Last week we focused on what causes quarrels and fights between people, specifically between Christians. It stems from insisting that we have our way. We also learned how to avoid conflicts, by being content and allowing God’s Spirit to control our lives.  James continues with this theme of self-desire and self-reliance in our passage for today.  If we insist on controlling our lives instead of allowing God to guide us, we fall into The Perils of Playing God.  Playing God is split into two sections: Warnings against Judging Others and Warnings About Self-Confidence. So join me on page 1884 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 4:11-17 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

• Boasting About Tomorrow

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.  If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.   Without question, Jesus Christ best demonstrates true humility. He voluntarily gave up His heavenly position and came into the world, became a blue-collar laborer, lived in perfect obedience to God and the Law, and willingly sacrificed His life on the cross for all sins (Philippians 2:6-8). This perfect humility of God the Son becomes a model for us to follow in our pursuit of humility. Paul said in Philippians 2:5, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” If we back up two verses, Paul warned the Philippians against the same egocentric arrogance that James is focused on. Paul writes in Philippians 2:3-4 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.   In the broader section of his letter (3:13-5:6), James develops the theme that real faith produces genuine humility. He illustrates this cardinal virtue of the Christian faith with powerful words and compelling images. We’ve already seen how he contrasted those wise in their own eyes with those with humble wisdom from God (3:13-18)....

Welcome to Day 2127 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 9 – Starting and Stopping Fights – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church message – 11/07/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Starting and Stopping Fights We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James.  Two weeks ago, we looked at persons who are Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise.  One sign of wisdom is understanding what causes fights and how to avoid or stop fights.  So join me on page 1885 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 4:1-10 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[c] 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.   As I grew up in a large family with ten kids, we often fought each other. There was sibling rivalry as we competed for attention. I am sure our squabbles were mostly unimportant, but that did not prevent us from fighting. Growing up in an apple orchard gave us the perfect weapon, especially when they were rotten.  They were nasty to get hit with but never did any real damage.  (Apples)   Unfortunately, as adults, too often, we still seem to work arguments and fights into our lives.  Fighting comes naturally to most people, especially men. Why? Because we’re each born with a scrappy nature that prefers going for the jugular instead of giving in. It all started after the Fall (Genesis 3). The first

Welcome to Day 2126 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 8 – Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/24/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James.  Last week we focused on “Control Your Tongue” or “zip your lips” in today’s vernacular. So much knowledge today is increasing exponentially, but it seems wisdom is sorely lacking.  So today, we will look at persons who are Wise, Unwise, and Otherwise.  So join me on page 1884 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.   As most of you know, I consider myself quite a lumberjack with my huge chainsaw.  An old proverb says, “A tree is best measured when it’s down.” The actual size and quality of a tree’s lumber can best be determined after the tree has been cut down. So, accurately measuring a person’s accomplishments can also be seen at the end of their life. This proverb is especially true of the life of Solomon, son of David. During Solomon’s reign over Israel, he thrived as an author, diplomat, poet, politician, philanthropist, architect, and engineer. At his apex, Solomon was a man unparalleled by any other.   How was Solomon able to accomplish so much during his lifetime? Second, Chronicles 1 provides the answer. When Solomon inherited the kingdom from his father, David, God appeared to him in a vision in 2 Chronicles 1:7. That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Can you imagine that offer? What would you ask for if the Lord of heaven and earth offered anything you asked?   Solomon reveals his true character when he answers in 2 Chronicles 1:10, “Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?”  In essence, he said, “I’ve inherited an overwhelming task! More than anything else, I need wisdom! I need practical insight into the subtleties of life so I can govern Your people well.  I ask and nothing more.” Now that’s a response of humility! With open hands, he turned to God to give him what he needed to accomplish what he needed to do.   About a thousand years after Solomon asked for wisdom from God to accomplish his calling, another descendent of David named James wrote 1:5, If you need wisdom, ask...

Welcome to Day 2125 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 7 – Controlling Your Tongue – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/17/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Controlling Your Tongue We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on Faith and Works, and how they must go together like hand in glove.  As part of the Faith and Works life, we must learn to “Control Your Tongue” or “zip your lips” in today’s vernacular. So join me on page 1883 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 3:1-12 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.   In last week’s message, James 2:14-26, the half-brother of our Lord, zoomed in on his central message—real faith produces genuine works. Throughout the letter from James, a probing question holds his whole theme together: “If you say you believe as you should, why do you behave like you shouldn’t?” In 3:1-12, James develops this general theme in a very specific direction: controlling the tongue. No other section of the Bible speaks with greater clarity and impact on the potential destructive power of our words. We might summarize this powerful passage as a question: “If you say you believe as you should, why do you say things you shouldn’t?” 3:1-2 James begins his indictment against the tongue with a surprising introduction. At first glance, it looks as though he’s...

Welcome to Day 2124 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 6 – Faith and Works – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/10/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Faith and Works We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on how our Christian lives cannot contain Partiality and Prejudice any more than oil and water can mix.  Our focus today is on Fatih and Works.  Join me on page 1882 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 2:14-26 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” [e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.   I believe most of us have sung the song “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.”  In some church settings, they also added the verse, “If you’re saved, and you know it, shout Amen!”   And then it continues, “If you’re saved, and you know it, then your life will surely show it.” As I was thinking about that phrase, this week gave me pause.  I thought, “Lord, does my life really show the faith I profess?” What about all the things I’m called to do daily as a believer in Christ, as a citizen of God’s kingdom? What about all those things that cut crosswise against cultural norms and society’s expectations? So I

Welcome to Day 2123 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom James – Wisdom is Faith in Action 5 – Partiality and Prejudice – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 10/03/2021 James: Wisdom is Faith In Action – Partiality and Prejudice We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the book of James.  Last week we focused on Listening and Doing Good. Today we will cover some hot topics in our society, but they are even more important within the church.  Our focus is on Partiality and Prejudice.  Join me on page 1882 in the pew bibles as I read the Scripture for today. I would recommend keeping this passage open as we go throughout the message today: James 2:1-13 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.   In many of our Christian lives, we wrestle against a form of Christianity obsessed with externals. Too many believers draw quick conclusions about people based merely on their first impressions— almost as if they had forgotten what we are told in 1 Samuel 16:7, But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but...