SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1129

“Mercy Triumphs”

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:13

The core of mercy is forgiveness. Mercy is forgiveness in action.

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful;…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Luke 6:36 – Colossians 3:13

We can say that we forgive someone but continue to harbor hate and bitterness toward them. Consciously or subconsciously we may act and behave in a manner toward them that works to inflict psychological and emotional pain for them. Examples may be to ignore and avoid them or shun them. We may speak hurtful words or speak in such a tone of voice that words are thrown like barbs – speaking at them rather than to them.

This passively aggressive unforgiveness is unmerciful and by it we will be judged.

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you; Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; – Matthew 7:2– Luke 6:36-37

By all outward appearances we can be seen as model citizens and pillars of our church community but the Lord looks at and knows our heart. Does He say to us ‘Good and faithful servant’ or does He say ‘Woe to you’?

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’… Woe to you…hypocrites! For you tithe…and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others… – Matthew 9:13 – Matthew 23:23

It is by God’s grace and mercy that we receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— – Ephesians 2:4-5

God expects us to show the same richness of mercy by which we have been saved. Jesus taught a parable about a man who had a great debt forgiven, yet this same man refused to forgive a minor debt owed to him by another. By his lack of mercy he was judged. So it will be with us.

And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ – Matthew 18:33

May the Holy Spirit reveal to us where we may have hardened our heart toward someone in unforgiveness and have not been merciful. May we repent and repair these relationships by the grace and power of God’s Spirit working in and through us.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy; For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you – Matthew 5:7– Matthew 6:14