Sermon Audio: Gospel Meets Life- Mercy

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about the way of salvation and enlightenment on other doctrines. However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned. "If Christians have caste differences also," he said, "I might as well remain a Hindu." That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.Today we continue with our series "Gospel Meets Life" and study of the book of James. How does the gospel change our relationships with others? I pray God will give us this (His) understanding & commitment today: Faith and partiality are a true contradiction in every way. We cannot claim to have received the mercy of God and continue to show preference, assign value, choose to include/exclude, or position ourselves in regards to external realities. If we know Christ’s mercy, then we will desire to bring all of our relationships and judgments under His royal law of love, mercy, and compassion. We will no longer base our treatment of anyone according to riches, race, or any other external valuations; rather, our attitudes and actions will be entirely shaped by God’s heart of mercy toward us.