Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

The law is the law. You cannot change that. But how you handle the law is a different story. You can administer the law to others and yourself in a way that brings freedom or in a way that brings death. Keep Reading...

James 2:12-13 NIV - 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!

How can the law bring freedom? This only happens through Jesus. The Father sent his Son, Jesus, to be a sin offering so that the righteous requirements of the law would be fully met in us… for those of us who live according to the Spirit. Romans 8:2-4 When we do not acknowledge Jesus, we are only left with the terrible weight of the law that we have broken.

We are told in the passage above to remember the undeserved mercy that Jesus has shown to us before casting judgement on another person. We have been judged by the law that gives freedom (through Jesus' death on the cross). We have been shown incredible mercy. This is what we need to pass on to others.

In our friendships, our workplaces, our parenting and our churches, we can get focused on right and wrong… on the law. It is easy for us to distance ourselves from those we deem as "wrong." We can even have a godly satisfaction when those who do wrong get paid back for their sin. But, always remember how you have been treated by God.

The Scripture is clear here. If we operate without mercy in any of our relationships, we will be shown judgement. Remember the end of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-35. Great judgement awaited him for his intentional choice to withhold mercy from his friend.

We can judge others with a look or a private thought process. We can judge with a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Judgmental actions can be justified from the self-righteous seat. But, do we remember how Jesus could have judged us, but rather chose to lay his life down for us? His mercy triumphed over judgement.

Push away judgement in your thought life with thanksgiving for your undeserved salvation. Be determined to treat others as you have been treated by Jesus… with immense mercy.