“So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.”
Romans 9:16
This week is Divine Mercy Sunday—a time to revel in the mercy that God provides freely for each and every one of us. It is also a time to take stock in our own capacity to extend mercy to others. Where would we be without God’s mercy and grace in our daily lives? And where would we be if we did not extend mercy and forgiveness to others? We would be in a sort of spiritual and emotional bondage.
“God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
Divine mercy is actually compassion and forgiveness in action. One good definition of mercy is ‘compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.’ Certainly God has that capability to offer us mercy when we sin against Him and others. Despite what some may think, our God is a loving, kind & merciful God; slow to anger, and His Love, mercy and grace for His flock knows no bounds. They are His greatest gifts for all of mankind.
“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit…”
Titus 3:4-6
No one can earn God’s Love, forgiveness, mercy, or grace, as they are His gifts freely given. Truth is, forgiveness can sometimes be really hard. For some, it may take a lifetime. We don’t necessarily have to forget what happened. But we do need to find a way to weed out the pervasive ivy of un-forgiveness that can take over our lives, and leave us, and the other person, in bondage. How do you know if you’ve forgiven someone who has hurt you —including yourself? Answer: If you can pray for them!
“Many are the sorrows of the wicked one, but mercy surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.”
Psalm 32:10
Our Great Challenge
It may at times be tempting to hold one’s mistakes and failures over them. But as Christians, we really don’t really have that luxury, as we need to treat others the way we want to be treated by God. For He is, among other things, all loving, forgiving, compassionate, and merciful. One of our greatest challenges in this life is to choose to offer divine mercy and unconditional love to others, regardless of what they have done to hurt or offend us. We must try to emulate Jesus, the Only Son of God who died for our sins, and put aside all roadblocks to forgiveness.
“But the Lord’s mercy is from age to age toward those who fear him. His salvation is for the children’s children of those who keep his covenant, and remember to carry out his precepts.”
Psalm 103:17-18
Forgiveness Is Key
If we refuse to forgive others, how can we expect God to forgive us time and again? For in the prayer that Jesus gave us, ‘The Our Father’ found in Matthew 6, we ask God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive our trespassers.” When we understand that we receive from God the mercy we give other people, everything changes for the better. It actually brings forgiveness front and center. Have you offended others? Have you made mistakes that hurt others? Of course you have! Have you ever had the need to ask someone for forgiveness and mercy? Certainly! We all have. However, divine mercy for ourselves, and to share with others who are hard to forgive, is just a prayer away…It’s true !
“Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.”
Wisdom 3:9
Grace is closely linked to mercy, especially where God is concerned. It is defined as ‘undeserved merit or favor.’ God offers us grace and mercy at times in ways that we really don’t deserve. That is why we must do the same for others. Both mercy and grace enable us to find relief from our faults and failings. Certainly we are only human. We all ‘go there’ at times, letting ourselves become haughty, arrogant, angry, dishonest, envious, stubborn, careless, and/or even selfish—all things that can set us apart from others—and especially God–and harm us, as well.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians 3:12
Even while attempting to live a ‘good Christian life’ with Jesus at the helm, we often falter and fall. The same is true for other people, as we are all flawed human beings. But God will always pick us up, step in to help those who seek Him, and ask for His holy intercession—for His divine mercy and grace. Even when it seems he’s not listening to our prayerful pleas, he’s actually working all things for good for those who love him with grace and mercy. (Romans 8:28)
We need to pray, pray, pray heartfelt prayers for those who have hurt us, those who we do not love as we should, and for all in need of God’s mercy. And who isn’t? For just as kindness begets kindness, mercy begets mercy.
© Copyright 2022 | Adele M. Gill
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