In Need 5!

In Need 5!

Blessed are the merciful,  for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 NIV

How do you define mercy? One definition picked up on Google puts it this way: "compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.". In that definition is a summary of all that God is and what He expects from all who bear true allegiance to Him. So let's break it down. It is compassion or forgiveness shown. It means that there is an offence or sin for which the response is compassion or forgiveness. It does not take away the weight of the offence, but the one offended decides to overlook the offence and wipe the slate clean. 

And did you read the other bit? The compassion shown isn't from a position of weakness, where the one forgiving has no choice in the matter. In fact, it is within His power to punish or harm, but He decides not to exercise this option. It is this bit that gets me: I deserved to die for my sins, but God forgave me, not because I was indispensable but because His mercy just won't let me go to waste. In that mercy lies an issue: it places a burden on me to live up to what I have received. If I know the true value of what I have been given, it will show in my daily life.

And of course, the one who has obtained mercy and knows the value is quick to share it with others. S/he knows what has been forgiven, and is quick to extend the same grace to others. Do you even know what you have received? Do you have an idea the price that has been paid for your present stand? Am I quick to point out the obvious faults in other people, closing my ears and eyes to the lessons God wants me to learn? It is important to point out that by God's unbreakable law of sowing and reaping, whatever I put into the ground of other people's lives is what I will get from it. If I sow mercy, God assures me that I will get it back. 

Actually, I have already received mercy, because I am alive reading this. This is just a reminder of the standard expected of me, and how God demands I live. It was first given to me freely, and it is now beholden on me to give it freely to other people. What would it be for you? What is it for me? Remember, God cannot be mocked or deceived. He knows if I am sincere or hypocritical.  His time of favour is here.