So you must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment. (James 2:13)

Are you more merciful or judgmental?

In what area of your life are you most judgmental?

How have you extended mercy lately?

Judging others is a burden. Perhaps it’s a burden you’re willing to share, because it gives you a sense of power. Perhaps it’s simply a habit you’ve developed over time, because those around you judge or you were judged for much of your life. Perhaps you rationalize your judgment of others. After all, you’re only speaking the “truth,” even when you talk behind someone’s back. Or, you believe you know someone’s motivation and what his or her response will be to your mercy, so you don’t respond to someone in need. Isn’t assuming you know someone’s response or motivation a form of judgment?

It’s difficult not to judge others. We can’t stop simply because we decide not to judge, because we are always trying to make sense of our world, and part of that means making assumptions. We will continue to categorize and respond to those categories, including negatively, unless we overshadow our judgment response with something else. That something else is mercy. We received it even when undeserved – perhaps not from every person in our life but from God…always. People around us don’t always deserve mercy either, but that doesn’t mean we’re to withhold it. God wants to lavish us with mercy, and because we are created in his image and are active participants in fulfilling his will throughout his kingdom, we must be ready to extend mercy as well – even when we’d prefer to find an excuse and withhold it.

There’s someone today who needs your mercy. Don’t withhold it. It’s God’s mercy. Extend it.