"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7 ESV
Mercy, withholding a deserved punishment, is such a beautiful gift. When Jesus died on the cross and took the punishment for my sin, He gave us the most beautiful gift of mercy that has ever been given. When I submitted myself to Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I received this gift.
When I think about the extent of my spiritual poverty before I received mercy, I realize just how great this gift is. As I grow in righteousness and walk more closely with Jesus, my heart changes toward those who may have hurt or offended me. Instead of dwelling on what was done to me, my thoughts turn to compassion for those who don’t have a right relationship with Jesus.
I can’t honestly say this is always my first reaction when someone hurts me. I sometimes struggle with the urge to hurt that person worse than they hurt me. That's when I go to prayer, for both myself (to let go of the anger) and for that person (to see them as Jesus does). Jesus always answers and helps me to see that they need to His mercy just as I do. This makes it easier and more natural to give forgive others and to not hold offenses against them.
And when I show mercy to others, they just might ask why I do. This gives me an opportunity to tell them of God’s great mercy that’s available to any who turn to Jesus.
But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ
might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe
in him for eternal life. - 1 Timothy 1:16 ESV
Think About:
Have you received God’s mercy?
To whom can you show mercy today?
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