Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Monday, June 25, 2018



Mercy trumps judgmentIt has long puzzled me that at certain times certain groups seem to fixate on condemning certain sins, often times, it seems, to the exclusion of all other sins. Years ago this was true of much of society in general. However, the term and very concept of “sin” seems to have fallen into disuse if not outright unbelief among most of mainstream society. But sin is, as it should be, taken seriously by Christians. Yet there are those Christians who focus much of their attention on condemning one particular sin, as if there was a difference in the severity or despicableness of sins.

I understand that for most of us there are sins that seem more heinous than others. Murder, most might say, is far worse than adultery which is worse than cheating on your taxes which is worse than telling a white lie. Our criminal justice system echoes that sentiment, that certain crimes are worse than others and hands out stiffer, more severe penalties the more serious the crime.

But according to the New Testament book of James, there is no difference. A sin is sin. Commit one and you’ve committed them all. “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”

Yet we know that we have hope, hope to avoid condemnation and the just sentence for our sin. James goes on to say, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”

This week during Midday Prayer Time, around 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, I’ll be sharing from James chapter 2.

Mon 01/24               James 2:1 – 4
Tue 01/25               James 2:5 – 7
Wed 01/26              James 2:8 – 9
Thu 01/27               James 2:10 – 11
Fri 01/28                 James 2:12 – 13  


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