mercy vs judgment

As the new year starts I am working my way through James. I recently heard someone say they wish James was not in the Bible because it's too tough. There are mutiple issues addressed by James, but I am coming to believe the basis of it all is 2:13. This is summarized with the statement, "mercy triumphs over judgment!" Watch your mouth! Love your neighbor! Take care of widows and orphans! Don't discriminate against the poor! Find the wisdom that comes from above! Submit to God! James is practical and hard hitting. Jesus showed mercy from the cross but was given no mercy at the cross. Those around heaped a cheap judgment upon the sinless Son of God. It's too easy to judge someone by their appearance. The Lord looks on the heart and could care less what kind of car you drive, or how much money you make. It's too easy to judge, be critical, be selective. Mercy reaches through all the stuff to the heart of someone else. It's what God through Christ did for each of us. Without mercy...I hate to think about it. Jesus spoke often of his choice of mercy over sacrifice. Matthew's gospel carries key verses concerning. Christ's people must be specialists in mercy, not judgment. James closes the letter with a couple quick reminders. "The Judge is standing at the door (5:9)." "The Lord is full of compassion and mercy (5:11)." Yes we all need that! Finally James calls us to an important work of mercy-the restoration of a fallen comrade. Let's not pass judgment, but show mercy. It's the Jesus way.