Mercy triumphs over judgment.
These were James’s words to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations some 2000 years ago. These are God’s words to me today.
More fully …
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” –James 2:12-13
Notice, judgment and mercy are not separated here. They co-exist. Accordingly, there can be reasonable judgments made, but they must be triumphed by mercy … coated, bathed, and lavishly immersed in grace.
Why?
Because this is how Jesus lived. This is how Jesus loved … loves. He is the God of both – judgment and mercy. No mercy can be applied to a heart if a heart hasn’t first crossed the line requiring it.
Accordingly, we should follow Christ’s lead – mercy enough to bathe judgment. We should not offer mercy as a way of gaining the upper hand … of somehow thinking that our generous grace towards others places us in God’s higher regard. Instead, we should offer mercy because the upper, outstretched hands of Jesus Christ have extended wide and long and high and deep on our behalf. When we forget this, when our offers of mercy are motivated by personal pats on the back, then we’ve missed the grace of God entirely. It becomes all about what we have done rather than about everything that Christ has done for us, in us, and ultimately, through us.
In this day of doing faith and living grace, there will be someone who crosses your path in need of mercy. Judgment abounds (and in many cases rightly so), but judgment without the cross of Jesus Christ standing as a guiding light to monitor your responses will never advance the kingdom. At least, not through you. Not through me.
So I stand here today, close to the cross. Leaning into it, clinging onto the splintered, bloodied beams knowing that without this mercy-laced judgment, I am left as I am, incapable of loving the most excellent way.
That excellent way?
Mercy triumphing over judgment. If I’m going to live anywhere, let me live there. Let me grow there. Let me love from there.
Keep to it, faithful pilgrims. It’s a good way … the grace-way to move the kingdom forward. As always …
Peace for the journey,
Yes. Amen.
I just commented on another person’s blog about how kindness seems to be a fading virtue in our get-ahead culture. And I think mercy is closely tied to that. I know that I am eternally (literally) grateful to the Lord for His compassionate and merciful character. Without it, I just know that I would be burned up in His wrath. So yes, we need to apply His principles as we look to the other people in our lives, and the people that we meet. Judge not, extend the mercy we ourselves have been shown – and most of all, offer the love that was so freely given to us first.
GOD BLESS!
Do you remember the quote that goes something like “She who has been forgiven much LOVES much”? When I stop to think of His mercy to me, I am leveled. Flat out LEVELED! When I think about the times I have failed to be merciful, I am mortified! Stunned by my lack; ashamed and full of remorse until I stagger back to the cross where mercy did indeed TRIUMPH and continues to flow freely on me…
I need His mercy every day — so I must offer it as well. To the one who has been given much, much will be demanded, huh?
Thanks for all your prayers for me and my family during our loss, Elaine. Everyone’s support has meant so much. Thank you.
It’s a hard one for me. My friends joke that when God gave out mercy, I was in the restroom. The Lord and I have been working on a mercy infusion for many years. Thankfully, I am doing better than in years past, but it is still one of those traits that I must be intentional in exercising. Judgment comes far easier than mercy, unfortunately. I’ve been given much mercy….I must offer mercy in increasing degrees.
Such a right reminder. Until I fully and finally understood and confessed I am a sinner did I understand the grace and mercy extended to me. Oddly enough, after being a Christian for nearly 40 years, this realization came only years ago . . . But, oh the overwhelm of emotion and gratitude as the Holy Spirit gently unfolded this truth.
I am in forever awe.
I loved this post. Thanks for the reminder to offer the same Mercy to others that Jesus gave me. Moving the kingdom forward is what God is doing right now and He’s inviting us to participate in that by offering triumphant mercy rather than deserving or undeserving judgment. Consequences may still fall in the judgment but LOVE – HIS LOVE – always trumps it!
Praise God – Praise JESUS for the Cross at which we kneel!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
Psalm 126
I have found the more weary I grow, the less I expend mercy and I know that isn’t right. Thank you for the reminder and the jolt I need to look at what Jesus did for me with new eyes.
So thankful that mercy triumphs over judgement. Thank you for the thought provoking post.
“…we should offer mercy because the upper, outstretched hands of Jesus Christ have extended wide and long and high and deep on our behalf.” Yes! Too often I can get in that “well they don’t deserve it” mindset. But Jesus. Beautiful, grace-filled words, my friend.
I love this post, Elaine. It speaks so much to my heart, especially in the midst of my present circumstances. Thank you for sharing these words, friend. I am still in your country. Hopefully, I can still make that trip to meet you face to face before I return to my homeland. Much love to you.