For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
In the busyness of life, it can be hard to slow down and recognize what matters most. We get distracted on our phones, so we miss being present with our families. We have a large workload, so we miss opportunities to rest. Even in our walk with Christ, we get caught up in legalistic tendencies and forget to show and receive mercy. As easy as it can be to make mercy an afterthought, James made clear it should be a priority. Mercy should be something we aim for and look to live out in the way we treat strangers, coworkers, and our family. Judgment often feels more effective to teach a lesson, but James spoke clearly: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Mercy may not come naturally or even make much sense to us, but it is essential in following Christ. We have first been shown great mercy by Christ. Showing mercy requires trust in God over the judgment that feels so natural. It requires trusting Him with our circumstances and our relationships. Thankfully, God can always be trusted, and His way may not be intuitive to us, but it is always best in the end.
- How likely are you to show mercy to others? How does reflecting on God’s mercy to you impact this?
- Why is it hard to show mercy to others? What are some of the reasons you don’t show mercy?
- Pray and thank God for His mercy! Ask Him to show you how to extend His mercy toward others.
