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James writes, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”  Three times the word “mercy” is found in this passage.  The word is a translation of the Greek word eleos. Eleos is God’s attitude toward those who are in distress.  It is the outward manifestation of pity.  Eleos tempers the justice of God by providing a remedy for sin.  The word mercy captures the essence of its meaning.
Getting In Over My Head
The phrase, “getting in over my head” is an idiom.  The phrase means, “to become too deeply involved in or with a difficult situation, beyond the point of being able to control or cope with things any longer.”  The following examples illustrate its meaning.  “I’ve gotten in way over my head with this money laundering scheme.”  Now the mob is threatening my family if I try to back out.”  And, “I think I’m getting in over my head with Amy.  She wants marriage, kids, and a house, and I’m just not ready for any of that” (idioms.thefreedictionary.com).  Every person who sins, “gets in over his/her head” and encounters a situation that he/she is powerless to do anything about.  Only God can forgive sins.  However, God is merciful and has provided a remedy for sin through His Son– Jesus Christ.
Judgment Without Mercy
The greatest fear of any person is to face the justice of God without mercy.  Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16).  Damnation is the result of unbelief.  Unbelief causes us to face the full weight of the judgment of God.  Through faith and baptism we can obtain the forgiveness of God and be saved from the eternal consequences of sin.  Judgment without mercy is applied by James to those who show no mercy.  Jesus said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:15).  Jesus also told the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matt. 18:32-35) in which He taught that the unmerciful will not receive mercy.  Every Christian should imitate the heart of God by showing mercy to his neighbor.
Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
God’s mercy provides a remedy for sin.  When we transgress God’s law, we sin (I John 3:4). We cannot escape this sinful state by our own power.  The remedy for sin is supplied by God through justification.  Justification is acquittal from sin.  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  When we are justified by God through Jesus Christ, we are pronounced “not guilty” because we have been forgiven.  Forgiveness is based upon the sacrificial death of Jesus in our behalf.  Jesus provides atonement for sin.  Forgiveness from God is conditional.  The conditions that must be met by us are: faith (Heb. 11:6); love (Matt. 22:36-39; Mark 12:29-31); Repentance (Acts 17:30); Confession (Rom. 10:9-10); and baptism (immersion in water) (Rom. 6:3-4).  These commands constitute obedience to the gospel of Christ (II Thess. 1:7-9; Acts 2:38; Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 10:16). When we obey the gospel of Christ, we are justified before God.  Mercy triumphs over judgment!
The Triumph of Mercy
Mercy boasts against judgment.  Mercy triumphs over judgment only through the atoning power of the blood of Christ.  If we do not obtain mercy from God, then, we will face His judgment without mercy!  When we sin against God, we “get in over our head”, but, through God’s mercy we can be justified before Him.