Mercy triumphs over judgement

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," n also said, "Do not murder." n If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”(James 2:10-13 NIV)

A good friend of mine was saying the other day how angry and frustrated she gets with young, speeding drivers. She has taken to shouting out and waving her fist as they overtake or speed past her on the freeway. She knows that they are going way too fast because she is already travelling at 10-20km over the speed limit herself!

It is so easy to see the faults of others and fail to see our own. James reminds us that keeping a part of God’s law isn’t enough. One person may commit adultery. Another may be a murderer. Whether it is stealing, lying or bullying we are all in the same boat. The short term consequences of our actions may be lesser or greater. But we are all still “lawbreakers” in the eyes of God.

Jesus said that God’s standard is perfection. (Matthew 5:48) This means keeping God’s law perfectly all the time. If we can’t do that, which none of us can, we need another way to relate to God. This way is the way of mercy. Mercy has been defined as, “not getting what you deserve”, especially as it concerns punishment. Because of Jesus death on the cross our sin has been judged but God has paid the price. This is mercy.

Sadly, it is too easy for us to forget that we have received God’s mercy. One of the signs of this is that we begin to judge others while ignoring our own faults. (Just like my speeding friend). When we fail to show others the same mercy that we have received we are in danger. James tells us that those who judge without mercy will be treated in the same way.

Jesus echoes these thoughts in the parable of “the unmerciful servant”. (Matthew 18:21-35) A servant who owed millions of dollars to his master was freely forgiven. But then he put a fellow servant in jail who owed him a few dollars. When his master heard about it, he put him in jail. Jesus says this is what happens when you refuse to “forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

Do you think that you are perfect or less of a “lawbreaker” than someone else? Have you received God’s mercy? Are you sharing it with others by forgiving rather than judging them?