2025-03-30 Mercy triumphs over Judgement 怜悯是向审判夸胜

Mercy triumphs over Judgement 怜悯是向审判夸胜

Have you ever felt judged or treated differently based on appearance, wealth, or status? 你有没有因外貌、财富或地位而被论断或被区别对待？Imagine walking into a Michelin-starred restaurant wearing scruffy clothing—想象一下，你穿着肮脏的衣服走进一家米其林星级餐厅——Would you notice how differently people might treat you? 人对你的态度会有多么不同？Today, we'll continue exploring the book of James, 今天，我们将继续探讨《雅各书》，focusing on chapter 2, v.1–13. 2章:1-13节。 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 1我的弟兄们，你们信奉我们荣耀的主耶稣基督，便不可按着外貌待人。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. 2若有一个人戴着金戒指，穿着华美衣服，进你们的会堂去，又有一个穷人，穿着肮脏衣服也进去；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,” 3你们就重看那穿华美衣服的人说“请坐在这好位上”，又对那穷人说“你站在那里”，或“坐在我脚凳下边”，4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 4这岂不是你们偏心待人，用恶意断定人吗？ 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? 5我亲爱的弟兄们，请听，　神岂不是拣选了世上的贫穷人，叫他们在信上富足，并承受他所应许给那些爱他之人的国吗？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? 6你们反倒羞辱贫穷人。那富足人岂不是欺压你们，拉你们到公堂去吗？7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 7他们不是亵渎你们所敬奉（“所敬奉”或作“被称”）的尊名吗？8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 8经上记着说：“要爱人如己。”你们若全守这至尊的律法，才是好的；9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 9但你们若按外貌待人，便是犯罪，被律法定为犯法的。10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 10因为凡遵守全律法的，只在一条上跌倒，他就是犯了众条。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. 11原来那说不可奸淫的，也说不可杀人。你就是不奸淫，却杀人，仍是成了犯律法的。12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 12你们既然要按使人自由的律法受审判，就该照这律法说话行事。13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 13因为那不怜悯人的，也要受无怜悯的审判，怜悯原是向审判夸胜。 In this passage, 这段经文里，James addresses the danger of showing favouritism in our communities 雅各指出偏心待人的危险，and calls believers to change their values to align with the Kingdom of God, 并呼吁信徒改变价值观，与神国法则合一，extending grace and love without discrimination. 传递恩典和神的爱。

1: Showing favouritism – judging by appearance 偏心待人——按外貌断定人 (James 雅2:1–4)

James 雅2:1 says, My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 我的弟兄们，你们信奉我们荣耀的主耶稣基督，便不可按着外貌待人。 The Greek prosōpolēmpsia means "favouritism," , 希腊文 prosōpolēmpsia 的意思是“偏爱”、 "partiality," “偏心”or literally " judging based on external factors或字面意思是“根据外部因素，such as outward appearance, status or wealth.  如按外貌、地位或财富来判断”。Then, in verses 2–4, 在第2-4节说，we’re instructed not to show special favour to the rich while disrespecting the poor in church. 在教会中不要优待富人，轻视穷人。Why? 为什么？Because Kingdom values are completely different from worldly values. 因为神国度的价值观与世俗的价值观完全不同。Pro 箴17:5 says, he who mocks the poor reproaches His Maker.戏笑穷人的，是辱没造他的主。 Pro 箴22:2 says, rich and poor have this in common: the Lord is the Maker of them all. 富户穷人在世相遇，都为耶和华所造。

From a worldly perspective, 从世上的眼光来看，we tend to think our success comes from being smarter or working harder than others. 我们往往认为成功来自于比别人更聪明或更努力工作。Yet, in God’s Kingdom, 然而，在神的国度里，both rich and poor are created equal and valued by the King. 无论富人还是穷人，都是由神创造并被神所看重的。The King reigns with righteousness, 神以公义、justice, 公平、humility, 谦卑and mercy. 和怜悯掌权。As we enter His Kingdom, 当我们进入神的国度时，our values and perspectives must change to match His, 我们的价值观和眼光必须改变，以符合神的标准，so that we can walk in His blessing.这样我们才能行在祂的祝福中。

In John 约8:15, Jesus challenged the religious leaders, saying, 耶稣对宗教领袖说， "You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one." 你们是以外貌（原文作“凭肉身”）判断人，我却不判断人。 Jesus shows us a new way—耶稣明显了祂的方式——not judging by outward appearances, 不以外貌、wealth, 财富、qualifications, 资格or worldly success或世俗成功来论断人，—but seeing people through God’s eyes, 而是以神的眼光看待人， treating everyone with dignity, 待人以尊严 respect, 尊重and genuine love. 和真诚的爱。So to change, 所以要改变，we must first understand the origins of our old standard of judgement—我们必须首先了解旧的论断标准的起源——it's rooted in humanity's fall. 它根植于人类的堕落。Originally, 起初，Adam and Eve were covered with God's glory. 亚当和夏娃被神的荣耀所覆蔽。When they listened to Satan, 当他们听从撒但，they broke their relationship with their Maker 破坏了与造物主的关系，and lost their glorious life with God. 失去了荣耀的生命。Satan's nature entered them, 撒但的性情进入了他们，bringing fear and shame. 带来了惧怕和羞耻。

They judged themselves, saying, 他们论断自己，说：“I'm naked; 我赤身露体；I'm not good enough. “我不够好。I need to cover my shame by my own effort and good deeds.” 我要用努力做好 来遮盖我的羞耻。”After the fall, 堕落之后，humanity lost the mandate to rule over the earth, 人类失去了治理全地的权柄，which was stolen by Satan. 这权柄被撒但偷走了。The Bible says, 圣经说："the whole world is under the control of the evil one" 全世界都卧在那恶者手下； (1 John 约壹5:19b). Satan established a worldly standard that promotes pride, 撒但建立了一个世俗的标准，提倡骄傲、comparison, 争竞、insecurity, 无安全感、and judgement based on external factors—和根据外在因素——appearance, 外貌、wealth, 财富、status, 地位、and achievements. 和成就来判断人。

It’s a trap of endless competition and shame, 这是个无止境的争竞和羞耻的陷阱，"I’ll never be good enough coz there’s always someone better than me" “我永远不够好。因总有人会比我好。” If we measure ourselves like this, 如果我们这样衡量自己，we’ll end up judging others the same way. 也会以同样的方式断定别人。Fallen humanity believes that wealth equals success. 人性堕落后就认为财富等于成功，A successful career earns respect, 成功的事业赢得尊重，while poor or low-paying jobs are less valued. 而贫穷或低薪的工作则不被重视，This mindset shapes our society这种心态塑造了我们的社会—it’s all about appearances. 一切都是为了外表。But it’s a trap, 但这是一个陷阱，leading to endless comparison, envy, and injustice. 导致无尽的比较、嫉妒和不公。These standards aren’t from God; 这些标准不是来自上帝的，they keep us stuck instead of free to live in His grace. 它们让我们被困住，不得自由地活在神的恩典中。

2, God Kingdom operates on different values. 神国按照不同的价值观运行 (James 雅2:5-7)

Then, v. 5 clearly reminds us that God's Kingdom operates on different values: 第5节说，神国按照不同价值观运行： "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him?" 神岂不是拣选了世上的贫穷人，叫他们在信上富足，并承受他所应许给那些爱他之人的国吗？ This verse highlights a couple of key points. 这节经文强调了几个关键点。A, God has promised a Kingdom. 第一，神应许了一个国度。B, This Kingdom has its own citizens. 第二，这个国度有其自己的子民。C, These citizens are chosen according to Kingdom standards, not worldly standards. 第三，这些子民是根据神国法则而不是世界的标准被拣选的。D, The poor are called to love God and become rich in faith. 第四，穷人被呼召去爱神，并在信心上富足. We’re all called to love God我们蒙召去爱神， and be transformed into the likeness of His Son, 被改变像基督，so we can inherit the Kingdom that belongs to Jesus. 以至于可以承受属于耶稣的国。The goal of our journey is not about comparing ourselves with others based on what we have on the outside, 我们旅程的目标不是去和人比外在拥有什么，but about who we truly are on the inside. 而是我们的里面到底谁。

In this verse, 在这节经文中，James highlights how God's choice challenges our worldly values. 雅各强调神的拣选何等挑战世俗价值观。God doesn't choose based on wealth, 神不是根据财富、success, 成功、or appearance, 或外貌来拣选人，but on a heart that trusts and loves Him. 而是基于信靠并爱祂的心。Throughout Scripture, 在整个圣经中，we see many examples of this principle at work. 我们看到这法则运行的例子。For instance, 例如，God chose David, 神拣选大卫，a humble shepherd boy overlooked by his family. 一个被家人忽视的谦卑牧羊少年。Even his own father judged David by his outward appearance 甚至他自己的父亲也根据外貌来论断大卫，and did not believe he would be anointed king of Israel.不相信他会被膏立为以色列的王。Yet God said,  但神说，“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” 人是看外貌，耶和华是看内心。” (1 Samuel 撒上16:7). Similarly, God chose Gideon, 同样，神选择了基甸，the weakest member of his family from the smallest tribe, 他是家中至微小的，又来自至微小的支派，to deliver Israel 来拯救以色列。(Judges 士 6:15). Ruth, a poor Moabite widow, 路得，一个贫穷的摩押寡妇，became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ 却进了耶稣基督家谱，due to her loyal faithfulness and trust in God. 因她对神的全心信靠， (Ruth 路1–4; Matthew 太1:5). "How do you see yourself? 你怎么看自己？Through God’s eyes？从神的眼光？or through what the world says？还是世界告诉的？In the NT, 新约中，the Son of God came without formal education, 神的儿子没有受过正式教育，wealth, 没有财富，or even an impressive appearance, 没有佳形美容，demonstrating Kingdom values to us—向我们展示了神国度的价值观——that true greatness is found in humility, 真正的伟大在于谦卑、genuine faith, 真心信靠and obedience to God, 和对神的顺服， rather than in worldly status or external accomplishments. 而不是世俗地位或外在成就。It is this glory, founded on Kingdom values, that remains forever, 这种基于神国度价值观的荣耀是永恒的，far surpassing the temporary glory of the world. 远远超过世俗的短暂荣耀。

3, Mercy triumphs over judgement. 怜悯是向审判夸胜 (James 雅2:8-13)

In verses 8–13, 在第8-13节中， James reminds us of a vital Kingdom principle: 雅各提醒我们一个重要的神国法则：mercy overcomes judgement. 怜悯胜过论断。He emphasises the "royal law," 他强调 "Love your neighbour as yourself" “要爱人如己” (v. 8), highlighting that true obedience to God’s law is rooted in love and mercy towards others. 突显了对神律法的真正顺服，是扎根在爱他人和怜悯人v.13 says, Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.13节说，因为那不怜悯人的，也要受无怜悯的审判，怜悯原是向审判夸胜的。 This verse makes it clear 这经文清楚地表明，that if we judge others without mercy, 如果我们毫无怜悯的论断别人，we'll be judged without mercy ourselves. 我们自己也会被人毫无怜悯的论断。Mercy means showing compassion and forgiveness to someone who deserves punishment or judgement. 怜悯意味着对那些应受惩罚或被论断的人表现出同理心和饶恕。We all need mercy for all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. 我们都需要怜悯，因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀。V. 8–11 calls us to fulfil God’s law through loving others, 第8-11节呼吁我们藉着爱他人来履行神的律法，warning us that favouritism or discrimination breaks this law and leaves us guilty before God. 警告我们偏待人或歧视人会违反神的律法，使我们在神面前有罪。Whenever we feel tempted to judge others harshly or in anger, 当我们感到被牵引想严厉或愤怒地论断别人时，we should ask ourselves: 我们应该问自己：‘when I make mistakes, 当我犯错时，would I prefer judgement or mercy? 我是希望被论断还是希望得到怜悯？Jesus clearly taught, 耶稣教导说："Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy"怜恤人的人有福了，因为他们必蒙怜恤。 (Matthew 太5:7).  Raymond’s story: Raymond的见证：

“One time I went to a pharmacy in old clothes after doing the housework. “一次，我做完家务后穿着旧衣服去药店。A staff member brushed me off 职员敷衍我，and said they didn’t have what I needed—说他们没有我要的东西——but I found it myself. 但我自己找到了。I felt judged by how I looked. 我感到自己因外貌被人论断了。On the way home, 在回家路上，I prayed and realised I was carrying offence. 我祷告并意识到自己心怀被冒犯感。Reflecting on Isaiah 53:1–3, 当我去默想赛 53:1-3，I was reminded how Jesus was judged according to his appearance and rejected too, 耶稣怎样被人以外貌断定和被拒绝，but he didn’t respond with offence. 但他没有以怨报怨。I repented and forgave, 我悔改并饶恕了，and thanked God for letting me feel what many people go through. 并感谢神让我体会到许多人所经历的。It grew my empathy 这增长了我的同情心，and reminded me that mercy triumphs over judgement”. 并提醒我自己怜悯胜过论断。” The Lord Jesus set the ultimate example. 主耶稣是我们的终极榜样，He willingly became poor, 他宁肯成为贫穷，endured wrongful judgment, 忍受被冤枉，and was crucified on the Cross. 并被钉在十字架上。Jesus didn’t respond with bitterness to those who hurt Him. 主耶稣没有用苦毒的论断回应伤害他的人，He showed mercy and said他以怜悯呼求, ‘Father, forgive them — they don’t know what they’re doing.父啊，赦免他们，他们所作的，他们不晓得。’" God raised Him from the dead, 神使祂从死里复活，declaring Him King of kings and Lord of lords, 宣告祂为万王之王，万主之主，proving forever that mercy triumphs over judgment. 证明怜悯永胜过论断。 Whoever follows in His footsteps will also share in His victory凡这样跟随他脚踪的人也将与祂的得胜有份。

Prayer: 祷告：

Yes, Lord—You are our living hope! 是的，主啊——你是我们永活的盼望！There’s salvation in Your name! 你的名就是拯救！Thank You for loving us, 感谢你爱我们，and for not judging us by outward appearance, 不按外貌论断我们，but instead showing us mercy. 而是向我们显出怜悯。By the Cross, 藉着十字架，You defeated the world’s standards of judgement. 你战胜了世俗的论断标准。Through Your resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit by grace, 藉着你的复活和圣灵的恩赐，we too can overcome those false standards within us. 我们也能胜过内心的这些谎言的标准。Thank You for reminding us that mercy triumphs over judgement, 感谢你提醒我们，怜悯胜过论断，and that in Your Kingdom, 在你的国度里，everyone is equally loved and valued—每个人都平等被爱和珍视——not for how they look or what they have, 不是因为他们的外貌或拥有的东西，but for who they are in You.而是因为他们在你里面的身份。Lord, forgive us for the times we’ve judged others based on appearance, wealth, or status. 主啊，饶恕我们曾因外貌、财富或地位而论断他人。Right now, Holy Spirit, 此刻，圣灵，we invite You to search our hearts. 我们邀请你来察验我们的心。Reveal if there are still worldly standards shaping how we see ourselves and others光照我们是否仍有世俗的标准在塑造我们对自己和他人的看法—thoughts like: ——诸如：““I’m not good enough… 我不够好……I’m naked if I don’t succeed… 如果我不成功，我就赤身露体……I feel ashamed if I don’t perform well… 如果我做的不好，我就有羞愧感……I need to prove myself to be accepted…” 我需要证明自己好，才能被接纳……” But Your truth say, 但你的真理说“When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” 骄傲来，羞耻也来，谦逊人却有智慧。

Perhaps those thoughts came from past wounds, 也许这些想法来自过去的伤痛，when we made inner vows to be better than someone else. 我们曾在心里立誓要比别人更好。Perhaps we’re carrying generational shame or fear passed down through our family line. 也许这些羞耻感或惧怕是我们家族里传下来的。If you desire a breakthrough, 若你渴望突破，you can pray on your own, 你可以自己祷告，or if you’d like, 或者愿意的话，you can repeat this prayer with me:可以跟我一起重复这祷告：

“Yes, Lord Jesus, “是的，主耶稣，apart from Your grace离开你的恩, Adam and Eve亚当和夏娃, and my ancestors—以及我的祖先tried to do better on their own, 都试图靠自己做好，and they failed. 但他们失败了，And it left them fear, 留给他们的是惧怕、shame, 羞耻感、frustration, 灰心、pride, 骄傲、comparison比较、 and falsehood. 虚假。I’m the same, 我也一样，living under the world’s standards of judgement has never brought me love, 活在羞耻感和世俗的论断标准下从未带给我爱、joy, 喜乐、or peace. 平安， but only increase my pressure, 却只增加了我的压力、brokenness, 破败and distance from others和与人疏远。Today, I come to You, Jesus, 今天我到你面前，You are the way, 你是道路、the truth, 真理and the life. 和生命。Through You, 藉着你，I can come into the presence of the Father 我可以来到父的面前，and receive true love, joy, peace, and healing得到真正的爱、喜乐、平安和医治——healing for my soul and body, 医治我的灵魂和身体，healing in my relationships, 医治我的人际关系，and healing in my finances. 医治我的财务。

Jesus, 耶稣，when people judged You by appearances, 当人们因外貌论断你时，You didn’t get angry or react, 你没有生气，没有起反应，because You knew who You were, 因为你知道你是谁，and You chose to forgive. 你选择饶恕。Forgive me, Lord, for the times after being judged by my appearance—by my parents, 主啊，饶恕我曾因外貌被父母、parents in-laws, 岳父母、teachers, or others老师或其他人论断的时刻, I made inner vows to prove myself or do better. 我在心里立誓要证明自己或做得更好。Inner vows like: 内在誓言像：“I have to succeed, or I’m worthless. “我必须成功，不然就是无用的人。 I’ll prove them wrong, no matter what it takes. ”无论付上什么代价，我都要证明他们是错的。”“I’ll never be like my parents. ” “我不要像我的父母，“I’ll always work harder so I’ll never feel ashamed again.” 我要努力工作，就不觉得羞愧。

Those vows gave shame, 这些誓言给了羞耻、fear, 惧怕、rebellion, 悖逆and manipulation 和操控power over me，有权来控制我，coz they’re not from God, 因他们不是从神来的，which is why I often feel, “It’s not enough. I need to do better,” 这就是为什么我常常感到“这还不够，我需要做得更好”，instead of repenting 而不是悔改and rejecting the old ways of thinking, 和拒绝这些旧思想，and letting the attitude of Christ rule in my heart. 让基督的心在我心中掌权。Christ Jesus, when You were on earth, 主基督耶稣，当你在地上时， You never reacted to people based on the world’s ways, 你从没有顺服世界的法则对人起反应，but according to the truth. 你顺服真理，Lies had no power in You or over You. 谎言在你里面毫无所有，也不能胜过你，You lived in the freedom of God’s Word by fully yielding to the Spirit of truth. 借着顺服真理的灵你在神话语的自由里，And where the Spirit of the Lord is, 主的灵在哪里， there is freedom.哪里就是自由， I want that freedom too.我也想要这自由。 So today, I choose to forgive. 今天，我选择饶恕。You’ve shown mercy to me你已经向我显出怜悯—so I choose to show mercy to those who judged me by how I looked. ——所以我选择怜悯那些因外貌论断我的人，They didn’t know what they were doing他们所做的他们不晓得—just as I didn’t know when I judged You. ——就像我论断你时也不知道一样。Yet You still forgave me, 然而，你仍然饶恕了我，shedding Your blood for me. 为我流血。So now, in the name of Jesus, 所以现在，奉耶稣的名，I break agreement with every false standard that has shaped me. 我与一切塑造了我的谎言标准决裂。Break me free from shame, 释放我脱离羞耻、fear, 惧怕、rebellion, 悖逆、and manipulation. 操控。I choose forgiveness. 我选择饶恕，I choose to show mercy instead of judgement. 我选择怜悯而不是论断。Holy Spirit, fill me with Your truth and love...” 圣灵，用你的真理和爱充满我……”

Thank You for speaking to us today through Your Word. 感谢你今天藉着你的话语对我们说话。Thank You for reminding us that in Your Kingdom, 感谢你提醒我们，mercy always triumphs over judgement. 在你的国度里，怜悯总是胜过论断。Continue to set us free from the trap of judging by appearances. 继续释放我们脱离以貌取人的陷阱。Break the power of insecurity, 打破我们心中的不安全感、pride, 骄傲and comparison in our hearts. 和比较争竞的力量。Help us to see others the way You see them帮助我们以你的眼光—with mercy, dignity, and love.怜悯、尊严和爱来看待他人。Teach us to speak the truth in love, 教导我们在爱中说诚实话，to follow in Your footsteps, 跟随你的脚踪，and to bring glory to Your name. 并荣耀你的名。In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.  奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。