Tempered Judgment

Matthew 7:1-2

New Living Translation

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

For Meditation

Temper judgment with mercy, for that is Christlike. The generous donation/flow/outpouring from the cross, is  enough to share with all who need it. And why not? Christ has made us His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Do we not best represent Him when we freely extend mercy to others before we race to judge them?

For those who want to know what is in it for them, know that mercy begets mercy. Portia articulated this excellently in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

The quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest.

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.

’Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

His scepter shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to power and majesty,

Wherein doth sit at the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptered sway.

It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;

It is an attribute of God Himself,

And earthily power doth then show likest God’s

When mercy seasons judgment.

Isn’t that so true?

Shakespeare took it right from the mouth of Christ. We are most like God indeed, when mercy seasons judgment! When we withhold judgment for mercy to flow to others, righteousness is right there with us, revealing the tender heart of God and His kindness to them. God satisfies our hunger to be right with Him and opens our hearts to care about the people in our orbit and along our pathway.

So, make a deliberate effort today to prefer mercy to judgment and experience the peace and joy that comes only from God.

Amen!