A Reflection On Mercy

When I want to pay it forward

As believers, we have accepted God’s mercy. But when it leads us to righteousness, we complacently forget our constant need for the mercy we once accepted. And we forget that whenever God lets us experience His character, we are to assume that character and demonstrate it to others. God shows Himself to unbelievers through the church. But if the church doesn’t act like Him, how will unbelievers see Him?

The person who has encountered God’s grace—really, deeply experienced it—will show it. We find that we who have been judged and forgiven have no basis for judging anyone. We discover that while the world operates on principles of pettiness and payback, the ground of God’s Kingdom is mercy. Everything turns upside down. Or right-side up.

Has God’s mercy made you more merciful? Jesus says the merciful will be blessed (Matthew 5:7). They are to be envied and admired. Why? They get it. They understand. They have tasted the sweetness of mercy, and they invite others to the banquet where it is served.

Her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.

Luke 7:47