I have been reminded lately of what Mercy really means. I can say that I have forgiven someone and that I have had "mercy" on them. But until I let it go.....as far and the East is from the West......I have not shown mercy like Christ would.
Each day I get up and I stumble. Whether it be intentionally or not. I stumble. (Don't we all.) How awesome it is that we have a God that took our shame and guilt away. He didn't put in on a shelve so He could bring it back out when messed up again. It's gone. We have gone from darkness to light.......and we have been made clean.
I have seen so many people that are close to me struggle this past year. (myself included) Living a Christian life isn't easy. Living up to a "higher" standard is hard. Sometimes it's so hard that when we continue to compare our mistakes to that higher "standard" we become overwhelmed and defeated. We can't believe that God would forgive us, love us, and rejoice over us after we have fallen. But lets not forget that there was only one perfect man.......Jesus.
Mercy is best understood when we receive forgiveness that we don't deserve. Grace is when we continually receive that forgiveness from God. I don't think you can be Christlike and not show both.
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"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with the your God." Micah 6:8
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I heard this song on the radio today. It struck me right away that I need to rest in God's mercy and not live a defeated Christian life. I am His child and forgiven.....again and again. Once forgiveness is given my sin and shame are gone. Also, if I am to be truly Christlike then the forgiveness I give should not come with conditions. I should not hold on to the hurt someone has caused me. Does it hurt still.......? Yes...... Does it come with questions? Yes.....but I am to forgive as Christ forgave me.
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~Mercy is receiving and giving undeserved forgiveness.~
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