02.22.2026 | Mercy Over Judgment: "The Measure You Use" - Chad Broome
Mercy Over Judgment: “The Measure You Use” — Chad Broome
Courtroom #1: The Courtroom of Justice
● The defendant pays for every offense they have committed.
● The punishment matches the crime - no more, no less.
Courtroom #2: The Courtroom of Mercy
● The defendant is shown mercy for offenses committed.
● The punishment they deserve is placed on someone else.
● The defendant gets to go free.
Summary:
● Both courtrooms have the same judge - God.
● You are the defendant.
● The experience of each courtroom is VERY DIFFERENT (but both are just).
● We determine which courtroom & judicial system we live under!
In fact, the Bible is a story of TWO COVENANTS:
The Law (Justice) - Speaks of perfect justice. Its motto: “an eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24)
The New Covenant (Mercy) - Rooted in mercy, while not ignoring justice (Matthew 5:38-39)
Matthew 5:38-39 (NASB 1995) -- You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
HOW DO WE CHOOSE?
Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT) -- “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.”
Matthew 5:7 (NLT) -- "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
James 2:13 (NIV) -- because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) -- Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
WHAT IS JUDGMENT? God’s Judgment and Our judgment
● God’s Judgment: not just a future event, it happens both now and at the end of our life.
● Our Judgment: When we decide to make someone pay for their actions by choosing (and administering) a punishment, instead of turning judgment over to God & trusting Him.
○ "an eye for an eye" or more simply "a hurt for a hurt"
HOW DO I RECOGNIZE IF I’M LIVING IN A SYSTEM OF JUSTICE?
“Am I someone who keeps score?”
● keeps no record of being wronged.
○ The Message: “ …Doesn’t keep score…”
● Strong connections require a clean slate!
“Am I someone who sees the negatives in others more than the positives?”
● 1 Corinthains 13:7 The Message: “...Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.”
● When criticism becomes our default tone, judgment has become our operating system.
“Am I angry often?”
● Matthew 5:22a (NLT) -- “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”
● Barclay on that word angry: “So Jesus forbids forever the anger which broods, the anger which will not forget, the anger which refuses to be pacified, the anger which seeks revenge.”
“Am I someone who complains a lot?”
● James 5:9 (NASB) -- Do not complain, brothers and sisters, against one another, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
SO WHAT DO I DO NOW?
1) Humble ourselves - “I’m flawed and I need mercy”
- Ask the Holy Spirit, “How would you like for me to humble myself?”
2) Forgive - “I sinned and I need forgiveness.”
- Ask the Holy Spirit, “Who do I need to forgive?”
3) Repent
○ To God
○ To people
4) Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a plan.