Comprehensive Mercy

Read: Matthew 7:1-5

The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:2

IN WORD

We human beings have a nasty tendency to apply one standard of mercy to ourselves and a different standard to others. Most people think they judge themselves as harshly as others, but hardly anyone really does. We sin, but not like that person. We have flaws, but not nearly so damaging as those people. We gossip about how much we hate so-and-so’s tendency to gossip, get really impatient with so-and-so’s tendency to get impatient, and get really angry at arrogant people because their pride has somehow wounded our own pride. And the “tolerant” are remarkably intolerant toward some viewpoints that express intolerance. Yes, multiple standards abound in the human heart.

Jesus had a few things to say about that. One of His best-known statements—which in a variation of Matthew 7:1 from the King James Version is often rendered, “Judge not, lest ye be judged”—has become part of the vernacular of our contemporary culture. In fact, the phrase is often quoted with a very judgmental attitude by people who don’t want to be judged themselves, which further demonstrates the hypocrisy of our inner thoughts. Of course, Jesus would never tell His disciples to drop all standards of right and wrong and have no discerning opinions about other people. But He apparently did rebuke His followers and everyone else for having double standards and being unmerciful toward others. His solution? Deal with your own issues, and be as merciful with others as you would be toward yourself. In other words, have some humility.

IN DEED

Kingdom people simply cannot be known as self-appointed judges. We can be discerning, and we can declare what God has said is right and wrong. But we can’t do it with any attitude that is less than radically, profoundly merciful. The truth is that God has rescued us from disastrously futile lives, not because we deserved it but because He loves us. And He insists that His royal children be exactly like Him. If we want comprehensive mercy, we have to offer it to everyone else. The Kingdom’s standard is always the nature of the King Himself.

ADDITIONAL READING: James 2:12-13

Mercy imitates God and disappoints Satan.

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM