When Men Must Choose Between Mercy and Judgment

James 2:1,5,13 “My brothers…Listen, my beloved brother… judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

  • “Mercy and compassion denote care, concern, and empathetic feeling for another person. In the Bible, mercy and compassion are most perfectly demonstrated and characterized by God’s own merciful and loving care for his people, and in particular by the gift of mercy through Jesus Christ.”
  • Jesus’ #1 emotion is “compassion”

5 Reasons Men Choose Judgment Over Mercy

  1. In a trial, a man feels the pressure and frustration of other people’s failure (1:2)
  2. When offended in a trial, men default to anger (1:19-20)
  3. Under pressure, men are less likely to bridle their tongue (1:26)
  4. A man’s judgment of someone is true (2:10)
  5. Most men don’t receive much mercy

6 Reasons God Wants Men to Choose Mercy Over Judgment

  1. God’s mercy brings joy (1:2)
  2. God’s mercy brings wisdom (1:5-8)
  3. God’s mercy brings steadfastness (1:12)
  4. God’s mercy is quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (1:19-20)
  5. God’s mercy puts a bridle on our tongue (1:26)
  6. God’s mercy is not only for us, but for them through us (2:8-12)

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