What
do you think, could this short story be a figment of one's own imagination? I think it is safe to assume that all of us have heard about what Jesus did at Calvary, but many of us do not seem to grasp the entirety of its message,
what it really means?The above story came by shortly after that phrase in James 2:13. `Mercy triumphs over judgment.' I feel humbled by the privilege and awed by the lesson learned. What does it mean? In order to
understand the context of this verse, we must appreciate the times in which this epistle was written.
Recognized to be written by James, head of the Jerusalem Church and brother of the Lord Jesus. This epistle was
addressed `to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad', and written at a time when Jewish believers were beset with problems that were testing their faith, probably before the Acts 15 Council in Jerusalem (A.D. 49).
We seem in similar predicament, our walk/faith at times wavers, and we also are beset with problems. `Mercy triumphs over judgment' is but only one aspect of the problems that James shared in his epistle. I want to
share the essence of the message with you since the verse seems to keep coming back to me.
But first let us be clear about the definition of one or two words so that we can better appreciate the meaning of the phrase
`mercy triumphs over judgment'. Let's take it from the back.
Judgment - a verdict of right or wrong for actions taken. In making a judgment, one has to have a set of guidelines, usually in the form of law so that a
verdict of right or wrong can be administered. Paul says that `the law brings about wrath/judgment; for where there is no law there is no transgression.' (Romans 4:15) In the Biblical context, we 'all have sinned and fallen short
of the glory of God.' (Romans 3:23)
Mercy, kindness and pity shown to an offender or adversary; an action done for compassionate reasons. John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." It is only because of His love that mercy is being freely given, to all who would believe in Jesus, the Son of God. This is the Grace of
God.
Now let us take James 2:13, into context, and see what we can learn from it. James was a very practical man. We need to be practical also in our walk with Christ so that what we believe in can be seen to be put
into practice in our every day living. In his epistle, James developed the theme of the characteristics of true faith - the key of which is to be `swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.' It would be easy for us to understand
why James implores us to do so. Many a relationship has been hurt by `unintentional words' - he went on further to tell us that the `tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity ...so set among our members that it defiles the
whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.' (James 3:6) As followers of Christ we must imitate what He does therefore we should learn to control the tongue, for encouragement, edification
purposes instead of tearing down & for speaking the Word of God.
But I am not here today to share on the whole epistle of James, I however feel compelled by this particular phrase, `mercy triumphs over judgment. If
we look at the verse as a whole it says, `For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Confucius once said, `Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.'
Our Lord Jesus in the book of Matthew tells us, `Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be used back to you.' (Matthew 7:1 & 2)
The Lord emphasizes this by telling us to remove the plank in our own eyes first before trying to remove the speck in our brother's eyes. (Verse 5). He then went on further to say, `Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do
also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.' (Matthew 7:12) You know this verse causes me to think that Confucius might have at one stage read the Bible. But is the lesson driven home?
There was an incident in
the life of Jesus, recorded only in the book of John 8:1-11. This was the incident where a woman was caught in adultery and brought before the Lord by the scribes and the Pharisees - hoping to accuse Him of some wrong. Jesus just
stooped and wrote something on the ground as though He had not heard. When they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, `He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' (v.7) And again He
stooped and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When
Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, `Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?' She said, `No one, Lord.' And Jesus said to her, `Neither do I condemn you; go and sin
no more.' This incident reminds us that the righteous Judge, the Son of God, (John 5:22) did not pass judgment upon a sinner but admonished her to sin no more.
Now let us take another passage from the scriptures and
learn what Paul has to say. Galatians 6, beginning with verse I9 tells us, `Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,' i.e. if anyone has falter/waver in his walk with the Lord, which is nothing unusual at all - all of us
have done it, some would regret it while others just seem to wallow in it, `you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.' `Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks of himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examines his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For
each one shall bear his own load.
In this letter to the Christians in Galatia, the Apostle Paul was addressing the issues concerning Mosaic Law and salvation by faith, which is the Grace of God. Certain Judaizers were
trying to impose all the requirements of the Mosaic Law upon the Gentile converts, the main contention being the issue of circumcision. The Apostle Paul questions the motives of such strict imposition.
Paul continues,
verse 6 onwards, `Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh
reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.' Paul had this to say because the circumstances were being wrongly interpreted. Let us move on to verses 12 and 13, `As many as desire to make
a good showing in the flesh, these try to compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you
.circumcised that they may glory in your flesh.' The converts were compelled to follow the legal requirements of the law while even those who imposed it on them were unable to do so in its completeness - so that if and
when you have done so, they may glory/claim credit for imposing such legalities upon others.
Recently there had been quite a few opportunities for me to share the message of Christ. I am astounded by the amount of
criticism pointed at `Christians' - a common accusation seems to be that the so - called Christians are behaving worst than non - believers.
There was a man of God whose ministry of integrity spanned over 4
decades. He gave a blistering sermon on greater commitment to Jesus Christ and the Word, both individually and collectively, in a local church, and this was what the resident pastor has to say. `After the service it occurred to me
that it had taken him 41 minutes to preach the message and 41 years to build the platform of respect from which he spoke.' The Apostle Peter says, "This is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men." (1 Peter 2:15)
GILBERT'S POEM
Mercy triumphs over judgment, I have presented for your benefit what the word says and two separate passages as examples: the case of the woman
caught in adultery and the Apostle Paul's exposition on the law versus grace. In our fallen nature, it is always so much easier to point to or accuse the wrong of others. It started right there in the Garden of Eden, Adam blamed
Eve for giving the fruit to him!
In this world we cannot expect mercy - we don't even have to go far. Look around us, even in the church, we so often say unnecessary things, pass judgment upon others in the
things they do.
Osama Bin Laden, what makes a man take the lives of thousands of others into his own hands in the name of religion? If we only listen to the arguments of the different religions of the world, we would
be so utterly confused that we would not know what to believe anymore. The simplicity of the Christian message must be that salvation is by faith alone in God's only Son, Jesus Christ. This is the Grace of God, in His mercy,
because we have done nothing in all our endeavoring that may warrant any reward for our efforts. And as the God who saved us is merciful, let us be merciful to those who have not heard the good news or have fallen on the wayward
side.
I understand there is much difficulties, problems and confusions in this world, but let us as the Apostle Paul says, `lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'
(Hebrews 12:1 & 2)
