Thursday: Compassion Greater Than Judgment

Devotional

If God's compassion toward us is greater than His judgment, then our compassion toward others must be greater than our judgment too. That is not a suggestion. It is the logical conclusion of everything the gospel teaches. Conflict has marked human history since the fall. We wound each other, sometimes deeply. And when we are hurt, the instinct is to hold on, to keep score, to make sure the other person understands the weight of what they did. But forgiving someone does not mean pretending nothing happened. It does not mean justice is thrown away. It means you are trusting God with justice rather than appointing yourself as the one who must enforce it. God does not condemn. He convicts. Condemnation leaves a person with no way forward. Conviction opens a door. When you choose compassion over judgment with the people in your life, you are reflecting the very character of God. Ephesians 4:32 puts it plainly. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. The standard is not what the other person deserves. The standard is what you have already received. You have been shown extraordinary mercy. Pass it on.

Bible Verse

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

Reflection Question

Is there someone in your life you are judging more than you are showing compassion to, and what would it look like to extend to them what God has extended to you?

Quote

Our compassion must also be greater than our judgment. You know, conflict has marked human history since the fall of Adam. Christ has come to remove the barrier of hostility between us and God and each other.

Prayer

Lord, soften my heart toward the people who have hurt me. Let the mercy You have shown me overflow into how I treat others. Amen