James 2:8-11 — Can I Sin Just A ~Little~ Bit?

READ THIS: James 2:8-11

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” 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,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
 
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

First off, why's it say royal law? Well it's talking about loving your neighbor as yourself which is one part of what Jesus says is the most important commandment or "law" to keep (the other part is loving God with everything you have!) SO: royal=most important. 

Anyway, like we've been talking about, showing favoritism does not show that you're loving your neighbor well. Loving your neighbor can pretty much sum up all of God's laws. For example, loving your neighbor probably means you won't cheat and murder them. But, say you do cheat them... That's not "as bad" as murdering them, right? James says yes it is. Even when we sin "just a little bit," that doesn't mean it's not sinning. It's like going over the speed limit. Whether you're going 45 miles or 80 miles, if the posted limit is 30 miles, then you are breaking the law. Whether you're complaining about someone in your head or you're actively bullying someone, if God tells us to love each other, then you are breaking the royal law. You are a lawbreaker...which sounds scary....but hold on until tomorrow, team, it gets lighter!!!


THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What's a sin that you do that you don't think is "that bad?" 
 
2. How did reading this devotional make you feel today about that sin and about yourself in general? If you're feeling any shame, please talk with Liz/Dan/Abide Group/someone who loves you and Jesus. And hold out for tomorrow...we aren't stuck as lawbreakers!

 
TRY THIS:

For the next three days, (or the next three times you have the opportunity to do this thing) DON'T do that sin that's "not that bad."


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