“You have seen the Purpose of the Lord;
how He is compassionate and merciful.”
~ James (James 5:11)

 

“James the Just” (one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples – see Gospel of Thomas 12) knew what Jesus knew and preached what Jesus preached – namely, that it was works steeped in courage that formed the essence of any Faith; that we were not to engage Good Deeds because we were certain of receiving any reward therefrom, but rather were to Care for others solely because they were suffering and needed their burdens eased.

And James knew that it was this same selflessness of intention that gave Love both its purity and its Power – healing those to whom it was given, inspiring those who were blessed to witnessed it being giving, and granting access to “the Kingdom of Heaven” to all those humble enough to do that self-sacrificial Giving (see Matthew 18:3-4, John 13:15-17, Matthew 16:24 et al).

 

As such, those who wish to fully comprehend The Way of Christ would do well to remember that God is the perfect enlivenment of a perfect Love (Matthew 5:48) – a Love that knows neither fear nor punishment (1 John 4:18) – a God of limitless Mercy (Luke 6:36), endless Grace (John 5:22), and perpetual Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22) … And as such it is not that God’s mercy is his primary Purpose, but rather that Compassion & Mercy are his innate characteristics – that they are in essence His only Purpose; to bless others with them “from above” (actually “from within” – see John 14:20-26) and to inspire us all from within to go forth and act accordingly (see Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 25:35-40 & Matthew 28:20 et al).

 

Amen … Let us re-Member that it is so.

 

Filed under: My Favorite Verses by Scaughdt