Mercy Triumphs

James 2:13    Santiago 2:13
    "Porque juicio sin misericordia se hará con aquel que no hiciere misericordia; y la misericordia triunfa sobre el juicio.” RVR1960
    “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” NKJV

    In the previous verse we are told to speak and do as those who will be judged. But why? Aren’t we freed from judgment in Christ?
    This verse here starts to unpack that answer. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. My mind immediately goes to the parable of the unfaithful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable there is a servant that owes his master some money. The servant begs for more time to pay off his debt, and the Master agrees. But then the servant goes out and sees someone who owes him money and demands it. This man also begs for more time, but he is not forgiven by the servant and the servant has the man thrown in jail. When the master learns of it he is furious, and I’m sure we would be too.
    Often in the new testament this theme is present: you reap what you sow. In the Lord’s prayer it says “For give us our sins (or debts), for we have also forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Now James is giving us a spiritual truth. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy--or if you judge you will be judged.
    Even though we are deserving of judgment, because we often fail to forgive or show mercy, James gives us this assurance: Mercy triumphs over judgment. Not only is mercy better than judgment, it is also more powerful and able to overthrow it.

    The application to this is obvious: forgive, and show mercy--always. Because our Father always shows mercy and is faithful to forgive us.