Being Merciful of Others vs. Correcting, Part 1 (TMF:1996)

Monday, January 02, 2023
Peace to Live By: Being Merciful of Others vs. Correcting, Part 1 (TMF:1996) - Daniel Litton
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       Finally, finishing up, James tells us, "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (ESV). In as much as we have freedom from God in this and that area, this also means that we are therefore to be merciful toward others (whether they have offended us or done something wrong in general), just as God is merciful toward us. It is important how we live in our relationships with others. Now, whether James is talking about judgement from God here, or judgement from others, the point is that when we are merciful toward other people it makes our lives better. It seems so obvious that it shouldn’t need to be said. An issue is self-righteousness, or a belief that one needs to correct others, to stay on them and make sure they are behaving in proper ways. A sense of righteous indignation toward others misbehavior (or perceived misbehavior) can often be a block to treating others correctly.