Mighty MercyMuestra

WHO QUALIFIES FOR MERCY?

Yesterday's reading reminded us of God’s desire for all sinners to be saved. “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4, NLT). But we also know that there is a zero-tolerance policy for sin in God’s Kingdom. “You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than anyone else” (Hebrews 1:9, NLT). So where does mercy fit in?

As believers, we are often tempted to accept the fate of lost people around us. We even feel a sense of relief when the Bible is on the side of God’s people. Like this verse in 1 Peter 2 for example “They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession” (v. 8-9, NLT). Phew! Thank you, Jesus!

It is easy to be so grateful for our salvation in Christ that we forget why He chose us. The answer is in the very same verse that we just read. “You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT). And guess how we do it? Read the next verse. “‘Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy’” (v. 10).

The only way unbelievers see God is through us. And since showing mercy is not the norm, it is a profound way to show God to the world. “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT). Showing mercy is therefore not even about showing mercy, it is about showing God to the world. Everybody in the world.

Do you sometimes feel that showing mercy will send the wrong message about your sense of right and wrong? Are you worried that evildoers will confuse mercy for approval of their poor behavior?

That is not our problem! God uses kindness and mercy to lead others to repentance for his good purposes. “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4, NLT).

Let us do our part in God’s plan by showing mercy to everyone around us. Let us not stand in anybody’s way to see God by withholding mercy. “‘I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me’” (John 17:23, NLT).