Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:8-13, If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 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.

The law sets a high standard: perfection. It is designed to show us our deep need for His grace and mercy, which we have in Jesus Christ. When we look at others, we tend to judge them by our best day, forgetting all that we have been forgiven. And many times, this is done on the basis of what we think about them rather than the facts of the situation. Can we not give them the benefit of the doubt and show mercy?

We thank You for all that you have forgiven in us, for Your great mercy shown to us in Christ; help us to love others as You do.

ESV Lectionary