Mercy over Judgement

It can be so tempting for us to judge others. We judge our government; we judge those who we think we’re better than; even if we don’t say it out loud, we always find ourselves making unconscious and automatic judgements of those around us. But what we often forget as sinners and Christians, is that we are just as bad as each other and yet God has shown mercy and gentleness to us – we have been shown grace through the death of Jesus. God has changed our lives and we are to be changed in the way we act towards others because of this.

James says to his brothers and sisters in Christ to “speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law of freedom”. Freedom is found in following Jesus and we are to live free because of mercy. God has shown us mercy and therefore we should show mercy to others.

“…judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful”. Does this mean that we will not be forgiven by God if we don’t show mercy to others? No, but if we don’t show mercy to others then we might not have truly received the mercy of God. If we have truly received God’s mercy, then it will be obvious in our gentle approach to those who continue to fall short in God’s eyes (and that could be us in someone else’s eyes!). Do we recognise this enough in our everyday life? Or do you find yourself lacking in gentleness towards others who make mistakes?

James writes that “mercy triumphs over judgement”. The power of God’s mercy in our lives changes everything, which is why we are to live by God’s mercy. God’s mercy can make us people of love who show gentleness towards others. We should let mercy triumph over our judgement towards others – not only in our lives but in how we live our lives.

How can you let mercy triumph over judgement in the way you live your life? It’s through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are changed, not through our own efforts. Spend some time asking for forgiveness for our lack of gentleness and ask God to help us to recognise our judgements of others.