Bring Them Back: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

HOW DO I DO THIS? BE MERCIFUL

"Lord have mercy!" Do you ever say that? I hope you do, and when you say it, I hope you mean every word of it. We are utterly dependent on the Lord's mercy for our spiritual life and hope. Mercy means to be shown kindness that we do not deserve. Mercy comes from goodness in the heart of the giver, not merit on the part of the receiver.

You and I are bathed in mercy from God, and it is our privilege to be reflectors of it to other strugglers and stragglers. God would like us to treat others in their time of weakness in the same way that he has treated us. "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear" (Jude 22,23).

What sin have you ever seen in other people that you yourself were not also once guilty of? Doubt? Rebelliousness? Meanness? Deceit? Cruelty? Adultery? Theft? Hypocrisy? Christ Jesus allowed himself to be blamed for all of your sin, and its guilt is attached to you no more.

A believer who is fully aware of being treated better than he or she deserves finds joy in being merciful to others.