James (W4D5) Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement
Week 4. Friday: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: James 2:12-13
12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
Speak and Act - Going to be judged. Live your life in a way that reflects the fact that you will be judged for the things you say and do.
Law that gives freedom. Boundaries bring freedom. There is great danger outside of God’s protection. Obeying God’s laws provides the freedom to enjoy life and to become the person God wants you to be.
Mercy. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. You have the ability to punish or harm with your words and actions or the ability to show compassion to forgive … Which will you choose?
Mercy triumphs over judgement. Mercy is always better than allowing ourselves to judge people based on outward appearance. It is what Christ did for us…
Romans 5:6-11. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 8 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
Discuss some times in your life when you have received mercy.
Discuss a situation in your life where you need to show mercy.
Have you truly accepted God’s mercy? Are you still seeking the approval of others or is the approval of God truly enough for you?
PRAY: Ask God to help you be thankful for the times you have received mercy and to be more aware of the opportunity to show mercy to others. Be thankful for Christ dying for us to even when we were enemies.
