Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7 NIV)
Over the last several weeks I have been meditating on these words of Jesus. What motivates me to show mercy to others? When it comes to mercy shown to me I expect it. But when I am asked to show mercy to others, my response is at times tepid. Why?
Could it be that my tepid response is related to my incomplete understanding of God's mercy toward me? I think that if I understood the story of God's love and mercy, you would have to restrain me because of my enthusiasm to demonstrate that same mercy. Understanding the deep cost of the mercy shown to me by God should be all the motivation I need.
Could it be that I don't completely believe it? How could I possibly, in my limited mind, comprehend God's great mercy toward me? Maybe this is why Jesus said to His disciples The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. (John 6: 29 NIV) Believing and understanding the reality of His mercy shown through Jesus is the work that I must do.
Join me this week in believing in Jesus and showing mercy!!
Sharing the journey with you,
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