Daily Journal: 30 September

Mercy Triumphs

Over Judgment

In every day interactions, we are constantly evaluating and making judgments on other people’s opinions, suggestions, conversation and actions. We are, essentially, always in an ebb and flow of mercy verses judgment that is displayed in agreement or disagreement and how close or far away we hold people.

Whether we decide to include people, engage with people, whether we decide to listen or understand people, whether we decide to befriend people or dispute with people, all include how we judge and how entitled we feel we are to judge people.

When people judge us or wrong us, active forgiveness extends mercy to them.

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.

People can think that withholding mercy retains power over someone. And it can, if that someone places their position in the person's hands withholding mercy. But it can’t, when they know that they are judged by the law that gives freedom; that law is by Jesus Christ who God appointed to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).

Luke 6:36

(NASB) [Prove yourselves] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Most translations use the word mercy but some use other nouns.

(NLV) “You must have loving-kindness just as your Father has loving-kindness.

(NLT) You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

(AMP) Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.

If someone has acted against me, my decision to forgive engages mercy or compassion. I choose not to put myself in the place of Judge. For everyone is accountable to Him on the day of judgment.

Romans 14:12 (NLT)

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

If I am wronged, I can decide to respond mercifully, yet practically, using wisdom with safe boundaries. Knowing right from wrong and acting on it requires sound judgment and may oppose others. However, showing mercy requires the decision to extend compassion or an allowance towards another’s failure or value. Mercy is a big deal.

Whether mercy is shown in everyday interactions, or larger, hard to forgive situations, we are told in James 2:13 that mercy triumphs over judgment.

Make allowances with wisdom and leave accountability to God.