Mercy Triumphs over Judgment - Part 2

Matthew 7:1-6 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Continuing Pastor Kyle’s Sermon on judgment and mercy, he says that there is a fine line between being judgmental and making a good judgment for a healthy Christian life. In the Bible passage above, the word “judge” (Greek “κρίνω” (krinō) is in the continuous tense, so doesn’t mean to never judge, but to not be continually judgmental in spirit. This is clear when you read the entire passage, where Matthew tells us not to give dogs what is sacred, nor throw pearls to pigs. How do you determine a dog or pig without judging? Godly wisdom is disagreeing with thoughts, words and actions contrary to the Word, Will and Way of God. Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” We cannot see the heart, but God can. We are not to condemn the soul. James advice: Speak and act as those who are going to be judged under the law of “Liberty”. Truly, we are the ones who are more greatly forgiven. Don’t misjudge.

   

James 2:8-13 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Drawing lines are easy; loving others is difficult. Everyone here are dead in their sins and needs mercy, forgiveness and salvation. Give what Jesus modeled. Give love and dignity.  Give mercy as we have been given mercy. Mercy is not receiving what we deserve from God for our sin. Give the grace of God. Grace is receiving what we do not deserve from God. We know that nothing on earth (in this fallen world) is free of a judgmental structure, but do not point a finger; give them your hand. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

In Christ, Brian