Experiencing judgment from others is a universal experience. It seems like no matter where you go, someone always has an opinion about what’s best for us, even if it’s not really best. From big things to small things, we live in a world awash of opinions, thoughts, concepts, and decisions about what others should do. Judgment, in its essence, is deciding for someone else what they should or shouldn’t do in a situation. When we judge, we disapprove of someone’s actions without experience, knowledge, and often the facts to give input. We’re quick to judge. What we aren’t quick to extend to others is the mercy of God.
James 3:7 says:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (NIV)
Even though we don’t consider mercy in most situations, it’s something God freely gives to us. It’s also something we should model as His people.
What is mercy?
And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My Name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Exodus 33:19, NIV)
Mercy is the application of leniency – especially in the form of kindness or love – even when it’s not deserved. God operates in mercy because He knows the end from the beginning. As the all-knowing God, He knows the motives, reasons, and circumstances that surround our decisions. While we make the best decisions we can at the beginning of a situation, God already knows the end of it – where that decision will take us and the complications it will have. When we do our best and things turn sour, God knows we did the best we could with what we had to work with. In recognizing our hearts and motives, God looks upon us with mercy and compassion instead of just looking at an outcome.
God as judge
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude 1:2, NIV)
Sometimes we forget that we aren’t in a position to judge others. None of us knows the fullness of any given situation (unless we are in it). Even in situations that involve us, we don’t always esteem ourselves properly. For this reason, God is our only Judge. He is the only One with the right to judge us for our actions. Since God hasn’t died and left any one of us in charge, none of us are given the right to decide for others what they should do in a given situation. While by Divine knowledge God may give someone insight into a situation to provide a word about a situation, He never gives us the right to speak out of turn in judgment.
We are commanded to follow God in the perception of mercy. Even with God’s right to judge, we learn of the incredible mercies of God. Knowing everything and being a righteous judge is the very thing that makes God merciful. Even though He has the full right to do as He sees fit, He opts for mercy. He, likewise, expects us to do the same.
Checking ourselves
It’s in our best interest to step back and take inventory of ourselves. God knows what is best for us. Nobody in our lives can tell us how to live and what decisions to make in every situation. Not even our leaders, as spiritual as they may be, always know what God is telling us and can relate with where God is taking us. Family, friends, and even those we pray with, worship with, or love may not understand the way we go – yet we must go as God leads anyhow. As we all go through these situations, we too must remember this when dealing with others. Sometimes we aren’t called to lecture, but to remain as a comforting and reassuring presence of God’s mercy in difficulties and trials.
Mercy also matters because every one of us was completely lost at some point in our lives. We didn’t know which way to go, where to turn, or how to function. It is by God’s grace that His mercy guides us to a place where we can best find Him – and what’s best for our situations.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:10, NIV)
Judgment doesn’t help
When we’re in a mess, we almost always know and recognize it. This is true for believer and non-believer alike. Every one of us comes to a place where we know we need more in our lives than a simple manner of being that tries to solve everything ourselves. In these situations, judgment doesn’t help; it only discourages. Mercy offers that hand of assistance so often needed, without even saying a critical word. It reminds us that God is always there, lifting us out of every discouraging pit.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)
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