I was thinking about mercy the other day. I thought to myself, “Do I really know what mercy is all about?” I heard a definition of grace and mercy once and it was something like this: “Grace is receiving what you don’t deserve, mercy is not getting what you do deserve.” What started me thinking about this subject is when someone said, “They don’t deserve that position because they are doing thus and so!” And I whole heartedly agreed! They didn’t deserve it! And then, as I was driving home my sweet Heavenly Father started dealing with my heart. “What have I ever given you that you have deserved?” And I realized right then that I do not deserve anything but death! I am a sinner! Yes, I am saved by grace, but still, I am a sinner and I sin every day! And sometimes I even know I am sinning and I still do it. But He still loves me and is mercy endures forever.
This is a Bible definition of the word mercy: “Mercy is a concept integral to an understanding of God’s dealings with humankind. In English translations of the Bible, it comes to expression in phrases such as “to be merciful,” “to have mercy on, or “to show mercy toward.” The corresponding term, “merciful,” describes a quality of God and one that God requires of His people. The noun denotes compassion and love, not just feelings or emotions, as expressed in tangible ways.” It states that God requires mercy of His people. Another word for mercy is compassion. In the book of The Lamentations of Jeremiah in chapter 3 verse 22 Jeremiah says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” KJV says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed…” And that is the type of mercy that we are supposed to show to everyone else. The same type of mercy He has shown us.
The apostle Paul knew that kind of mercy. Paul was on his way to kill Christians in Damascus when Jesus got ahold of him and straightened him out! If you read Luke’s record of Paul’s conversion in the 9th chapter of Acts Jesus asks Paul, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Then Jesus had mercy on Paul and gave Paul a ministry that established His church all over the known world. Paul received what he didn’t deserve, forgiveness and a place in Heaven for eternity! Can we show that same type of mercy to those that wrong us?
Please let me know if you need anything. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve