Dec. 15, 2013

James 2:   ¹³ because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James is a tough customer.  He is rough on the listener, who must meet very exacting requirements.  No faith without deeds, watch your tongue, etc.

But in the end, this is the verse I remember:  be merciful or expect that you will receive no mercy in the judgment.  So I can read all of James' requirements, and I can think about how I would do in his eyes, but I cannot use them to judge others.

I remember a former pastor who said the people who came to him to talk about judgment usually had someone in mind who they thought deserved tough judgment and punishment.  I won't go there.  I will examine my own behavior and leave it at that.  The rest of you get mercy.

Prayer:  Lord, look at me with mercy, for I am weak.  Help me to turn a merciful eye on others.  I need to avoid judging those around me.  I need Your help to be more forgiving.  I need Your help to look at others through Your loving eyes.  Guide my thoughts, words and actions to make them more merciful.
Amen