The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 2:13b,
"Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
In speaking of our comportment with others, and reflecting on the consequences that become apparent with the choices we make regarding our treatment of others, James makes the observation that those who treat others poorly will suffer on judgment day. It indicates their sins are not forgiven as the love (expressed in mercy toward others) that should be apparent in their lives as children of God filled with the Holy Spirit is missing.
While James doesn't go into the reasons why the mercy may not be there, we can fill in the detail from other passages of Scripture, especially 1 John 4:7-12. James' purpose is to let us know that if we fail to be merciful toward one another, we will not find mercy on judgment day. The Lord will not be at our side as the choices we make in this life in our treatment of others manifests we are not his.
What captures my heart in James statement, "Mercy triumphs over judgment!" is what God reveals about himself. When the Lord revealed himself to Moses on Mt. Sinai he said, ""The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7. Here the Lord speaks of mercy and judgment. Also, the Lord reveals of himself, "...let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight..." Jeremiah 9:24. "Kindness, justice and righteousness": mercy and judgment. Our God has two defining characteristics, love (mercy) and justice. Paul encourages us, "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness." Romans 11:22.
The wonderful observation James makes in regard to the chief characteristics of God (relative to man) is that mercy triumphs over judgment! God sent his Son to save us from his own wrath, his own judgment for the sins we have committed. He has made his Son accessible to us simply on the basis of trusting in him. I don't have to earn his forgiveness, I don't have to perform to any particular standard. If I embrace Jesus Christ in faith, mercy triumphs over judgment for me. I freely admit I deserve the judgment. How wonderful it is that God's mercy triumphs over that judgment so that I have a place at his table for all eternity!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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