For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 ESV

The Civil War was a long long time ago. In our efforts to right the wrongs of present day racial injustice it is unhelpful to drag out the history books of events that ended more than one and a half centuries ago. It was a terrible and ugly war consuming the lives of at least 400,00 troops just on the Union side not the least of whom was our President Abraham Lincoln.

My own Great-great Grandfather; Captain Charles Curie fought with a regiment from Brooklyn and returned weak and near death from dysentery. But no historical facts make me any better or worse than anyone else. What counts is my own heart. The only thing powerful enough to transform hearts like mine is the mercy and grace of God. So when we feel impelled to go out and demand change in the world, then we must start with a cry for mercy. God will get the judging part right in the end. Jesus calls us to mercy, and it is only His mercy that can change our world today.