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James 2.13 (NIV)
Judgment without mercy will be
shown to anyone who has not been merciful.
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| Mercy stands higher than the law as the guiding principle of God's relationship with men.* |
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I find it challenging to show mercy to those whose problems are brought
on by their own bad choices. My occasional opportunity to distribute groceries
from our church’s food pantry has tempered my judgmental attitude somewhat. Meeting
the people face-to-face has opened my eyes to this truth: Poor choices or not,
hungry people are still hungry. Jesus didn’t stop to ask the needy how they
managed to get themselves in their predicaments; he fed them. My sinful condition is a result of my poor choices. God does not roll his
eyes and shake his head when he looks at me. He doesn’t remind me that if only
I had listened to him, I wouldn’t be in the mess I’m in. He shows me mercy.
James doesn’t mention how we’re supposed to feel toward the one who needs our mercy. Many times (maybe most
times) I have performed acts of charity without feeling very charitable. I just
do it because it’s the right thing to do. But if I am going to follow the
merciful example of my Savior, I believe I must learn to have his heart. I read
somewhere that Jesus didn’t just feel
sympathy for the hurting, he felt it in his gut.
It is alarming enough to realize that I am setting the parameters of my
own judgment by whether or not I show mercy to others. How harshly am I going
to be judged for the measure of mercy I feel?
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| His will is that you would grow into the likeness of Christ. Every day you live in Christ and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit should see a growing resemblance between your life and Christ.* |
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