Mercy and Forgiveness

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:1

In these days of hard-hearts we are in need of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Forgiveness does not come easily nor lightly nor without cost. At first it comes begrudgingly like an untrained mule. It fights and quarrels stubbornly in our hearts and minds until mercy wins over, until grace is achieved and until forgiveness touches our owns hearts first. For to show mercy, mercy must first be received.

And this mercy we’ve all received at the cross of Christ. His blood and sacrifice atoned our sins forever, but the sacrifice must be received. The free gift of mercy must be received and once received, realized.

That realization of the mercy of Christ strips away piety, arrogance, and self centeredness and focuses on the needs of others. Not the wants… the needs. There lies a dramatic difference between the two.

For we’ve been chosen to demonstrate grace on one hand and hatred on the other. Grace and mercy towards the person while utterly hating sin. Demonstrating forgiveness towards the offender while warring against the nature of the offense itself. For without holding the balance of these two we will naturally tip the scales towards hard-hearted religious hypocrisy or towards lascivious-sinful conduct. That choice begins with mercy… with forgiveness, given freely at the cross of Christ.

Have you been wronged? Forgive. And see in the offense not the person but your own need, your own weakness, and your great need to extend forgiveness. If one hurts you have they not hurt many others? Have we not all hurt others as we blunder through life? Show mercy and mercy will be shown you.