Mercy Over Judgment

James 2:13 ~ "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

If you are in Christ, you have experienced the greatest expression of mercy over judgment. All who are in this world stand condemned by God. John 3:18 says, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." There is not one person who will be able to excuse their rebellion and unbelief. But God, who is rich in mercy (see Ephesians 2:4), made the way for all who come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, to find forgiveness. And now, for those who are in Christ, God has given you a full pardon through the suffering, sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Mercy, dear ones, is the highest expression of the divine love of God. For it is in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our LORD that we find His mercy. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And, as we consider our text for today, we begin at the point that it makes: mercy triumphs over judgment. Perhaps you ask, "how can that be?" Let us consider a few things.

First, judgment is the payment made from a righteous authority for a rebellious act. A turncoat in the military will receive a court martial, a criminal in society will receive prison time and even children who are disobedient to parents should receive some form of punishment. At every level of our social structure in life, there is to be a just and fitting punishment for the crimes committed. When that does not happen, we wonder why justice has failed, and without justice, we see the decaying of a people into anarchial rebellion. 

Then there is mercy. The expression of mercy is not just an empty platitude or the acceptance of a rebellious act. It is not the purpose of mercy to placate the commission of a sin, but to cover it. For mercy has at its heart a compassion that does more than merely overlook a sin, it forgives the sinner. And in the case concerning a sinner before God, mercy is the payment made by God in order to satisfy the just and righteous judgment against man. It is the means by which the LORD can forgive our sins. 

And it is this mercy that triumphs over judgment. For judgment, which will send a person to hell is overcome by mercy which provides the grace necessary for a person to arrive in heaven. The first question on the table for everyone reading this today is: have you received the mercy of God in Christ? The second question then is this: do you offer toward others the mercy that you have received? For along with this wonderful, triumphant expression of mercy in our text today is a very grave warning against those who do not show the same mercy toward others. And that warning is the first part of our text: judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.

Dear Christian, you have received the abundant mercy of God! Is it now so vitally important that you withhold such mercy from any other person in this world? Can you truly say that the sins against you are far greater than your sins against the Living God? Of course you cannot--no one can. We have so wronged God in every thought, word and deed throughout our lives that we deserve a thousand eternities in everlasting judgment. And God is overwhelmingly rich in mercy toward us who believe. Let that mercy of God transform your heart toward others that you can offer mercy to them as well.

Consider carefully the story given in Matthew 18:21-35. Verse 35 sums it up: "So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." We can echo back to the two great commandments--love God and love your neighbor as yourself (see Luke 10:27). To love God is to put your full faith in Him, trusting in His salvation through Jesus Christ and living to glorify His holy name. And then, to love your neighbor is to do for them what you would have done for yourself. Have you sought mercy? Then show mercy. Have you needed forgiveness? Then also be forgiving.  

Beloved, if the mercy of God has triumphed over His judgment in your life, then do likewise for others. Again, mercy is not the excusing of sin nor is it the placating of the sinner. It is the genuine compassion of Christ shown to others, the same compassion that you also have received. May this be the shining testimony of all those who are in Christ.

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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