How does "mercy rejoice in judgment"? Even in the ways God tells us to judge, we must show mercy. Mercy is not absence of judgment, but application of it. Our Father did not choose to ignore our sins but to do away with them in Christ . "Judgment will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy..." (James 2:13).
Jesus values mercy more than sacrifice. Are we the same? Do I rejoice in the parable of the vineyard workers whom all received the same payment at the end of the day? Do I identify with the elder brother of the prodigal son, maybe feeling insulted? In the issue of judging or not judging people, do we see the preciousness of the cross? We must always remember the cost of grace while demonstrating it. The church must grieve with Christ over the seriousness of disobedience. What does grace demand of us? Grace is not power to continue sinning!
"Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy"! (Matthew 5:7).
Excellent, profound post. I have read and re-read this post. Providentially, I have been pondering the very same issue the day you posted (!) and He gave me insight through you.
ReplyDelete“Mercy is not absence of judgement, but application of it.” ---what a profound statement! If it is possible, would you please explain it to me more? I want to learn more from you. With Christian love, Kinuko
It is amazing how He helps us want to keep studying! Sometimes I picture judgment and mercy being different or opposing each other, but a closer study says there is judgement, with or without mercy. The sinner praying at the temple in Luke 18 asks for mercy because he realizes God is his Judge. It is amazing that while the Judge of all is awesome and holy, He desires mercy!
DeleteI am still mulling over James 2 "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" And "Thus speaks the Lord of hosts 'Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother...' " (Zech 7:9).
I love your input, I like conversing over these things rather than me just spilling my thoughts!
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ReplyDeleteThank you, MB for your kind reply! Yes, you are right, I also realized that there is judgement, with or without mercy. Hearing the terrible news of natural disasters, for example, bring me lots of questions about this.
ReplyDeleteLast week, I translated one of Spurgeon's sermons (The Bridgeless Gulf
https://answersingenesis.org/education/spurgeon-sermons/518-the-bridgeless-gulf/) into Japanese and it really made me ponder the issue which you wrote.
While I was translating, I thought maybe we can see perfect judgement and perfect mercy on the cross of Calvary.
I really love your ways of thinking and I am looking forward to reading your future posts! Kinuko
I will have to look up that sermon. Have always enjoyed Spurgeon's sermons. I am reading his book "Being God's Friend". It is so humbling and beautiful; I read a few paragraphs and have to put it down just to let it sink in! Have a blessed day, Kinuko!
DeleteDear MB, thank you for your reply! Yesterday, I shared the content of this post with our Japanese readers and I linked your blog address. MB, I am interested in the book which you are reading now ("Being God's Friend"). Do you know the original sermon titles of this book? Maybe I will be able to find them and read online. Have a joyous day! Kinuko
ReplyDeleteKinuko- The chapter titles look like the sermon names. Which are, "The Obedience of Faith", "At Thy Word", "Elijah's Plea", "Love's Law and Life", "The Friends of Jesus", "The One Who Will Never See Death".
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ReplyDeleteGood morning, MB! Thank you so much for writing the titles for me. It is so kind of you. I am going to check them out. with love and thanks, Kinuko
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