this is an incredibly important
non-negotiable part of the equation.
Mercy is the recognition of the compassion of the Lord! If all we have is justice, we lack the unconditional love and understanding of our God for all people. While we are all victims of some injustices in the broken world, we are simultaneously to blame as the aggressors behind it. And so, we are all in great need of this mercy.
If we’ve ever slandered anyone, harbored a grudge, gossiped or held unforgiveness in any way, we are guilty of committing injustice against our neighbor. Here is where the church is called to not just show, demonstrate, or embody mercy, but to deeply love it as Jesus does. People are hungry for the mercy of God and it is our job as fishers of men to bring in as many as we can. Where the church has fallen short in lack of mercy, we extend forgiveness, love, and mercy to many coming to the feet of Jesus; He will discern and transform the hearts of those as He draws all men to himself.
In the same way as a child must be raised where they already trust they are unconditionally loved no matter how they mess up, so it must be for extending mercy to the other side.
extending mercy
- Care for poor.
- Recognizes this is the compassion of the Lord.
- If all we have is justice we can’t handle it.
- We are all the victims of injustice and the aggressors.
- If we’ve ever slandered, gossiped, harbored bitterness.
- Humans can’t handle a relationship on earth without mercy.
- When you point a finger at Donald Trump for calling nations “garbage dumps” then call him trash.
- We need the covenant unconditional love of God.
- It’s our job to be fishers of men and bring in as many as we can. He’ll sort them all out later (scene from the chosen).
- Without mercy, it’s like fishing all night and catching nothing.
- Fish are longing for the merciful love of God.
- We have justice - God’s truth and standard. Then there’s his mercy.
- We gain credibility when we point to justice because we have all neglected parts of his justice.
- His love and mercy is the only environment where this works.
- You can only raise a child right when they already know they are unconditionally loved no matter what or how they mess up.
- People on the right or left have mercy for those on the other side.