James 2:8-13

v8-9: Scripture teaches us to “love all our neighbours, whether rich or poor, as ourselves.” This is a royal law because “it comes from the King of Kings.” Here is “the law that is to guide us in all our dealings with people,” so to show favouritism in the life of the church based on status or wealth, is to break this law and sin.

v10-11: All sin is a defiance of God’s authority as the Lawgiver. “For that reason, if we offend in one point,” disobeying a single command of God, “we show contempt for the authority of the One who gave the whole law and are therefore guilty of breaking it all.”

v12-13: Our “eternal condition will be determined according to the gospel... There will be no relief for those whom the Gospel condemns, nor will any accusation lie against those whom the Gospel justifies.” Knowing that we will be shown mercy then, should make us more merciful as evidence of our faith in Christ, because “those who show no mercy now will find no mercy on the great day.”