³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.³⁷ “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸ give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Luke 6:36-38

Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. God who is all powerful is full of mercy. That is who He is and He calls us to, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ” All of us are able to cause harm or punish another but Jesus calls us to a better way.

It’s easy to judge and condemn when we are far from a situation or a person. We like things that are easy to wrap up in a bow and call it done. But life is a little more messy than that. God created us as beings who are able to make judgment and decide. We are not unthinking people. Nor are we unable to see where another has gone wrong. But what makes us unique is the call of God for us to become merciful as He is merciful. The only way to do that is to get close. Why? Because it’s very hard to judge and condemn when you get close to people. When you have walked alongside them. It is very hard to not have compassion on them and the situation they are in when you have heard their story. Its easier to forgive someone when they are messing up and struggling when the two of you have become vulnerable, real, and built friendship. It’s hard not to give when you love your friend.

This is mercy.

Who has been the subject of your judgement?
Do you know them?

Father, forgive me when I have already who deserves what before I have even asked You a thing. Forgive me for the way’s I have judged and condemned people without even knowing them. Forgive me for not making relationship more important that my own thinking. Lord give me mercy. I need Your mercy. Make me more like You! In Jesus Name. Amen

All is grace,

Starla