Flowing in Mercy

... judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!    (James 2:13 NIV)

We were discussing the need for us to abide in God, to walk in the Spirit. They are essentially the same thing. What are the attitudes which remove us from this flow? Rolland Baker from Iris Ministries said that God will discipline us regarding anything which moves us out of Love, Joy and Peace. I agree. I also think failure to exhibit mercy will have the same effect. This verse from James makes that clear. It will move us out from under the mercy of God.

Until we put on the resurrection body, we are living in a body disposed toward sin, under the power of temptation. Our every encounter with God, infact our ongoing fellowship, needs to be tempered by His mercy. He has provided for that need for mercy in Jesus, our High Priest and Mediator.

For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.    (Heb 2:17 NIV)
 

He is constantly overlooking a multitude of sins in us all, even as believers. He calls us to do the same;

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.    (1 Pet 4:8 NIV)

Our basic attitude in coming to God needs to be like the tax collector:

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'  "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."    (Luke 18:13-14 NIV)

We can come to God confidently when we have learned and accepted the lesson that we need mercy, that He is merciful, and He is overlooking our sins for the most part in the interests of our confidence, happiness and fellowship. I say for the most part, because He will progressively deal with specifics from time to time. However He does not intend for us to be under a generalized, vague sense of accusation and condemnation. That comes from, and belongs to, the devil.

Now we can block this flow of mercy by failing to exhibit it to others. 

 ...because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!    (James 2:13 NIV)

Judgment and mercy are opposite and exclusive. I mean judgment in the sense of writing a person off as a bad job and therefore unworthy of mercy. Anyone, the verse says, who does not show mercy will be shown judgment. So mercy is absolutely key in God's scheme of things. If we start to look for excuses not to show it, we will come under judgment. 

Mercy and forgiveness are two sides of the same coin. If we fail to show them as an ongoing and deepening attitude, we will get into spiritual difficulties, as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 18v21-end.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.    (Mat 5:7 NIV)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.    (Micah 6:8 NIV)

God is angry with those who consistently refuse to show mercy. They become vindictive, spiteful, and show hate.

Forgive even your parents and ancestors if they have sown problems in you.

"In those days people will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.'    (Jer 31:29 NIV)

Your parents and relatives may have neglected you, abused you, abandoned you, led you in a bad way, or put you under a curse by making an ungodly vow. Forgive them and set yourself free. It is only unforgiveness that ties you to curses, generational or otherwise.

Let us follow Jesus. On the cross, Jesus showed mercy even to those who were showing him no mercy at all!