Unforgiveness: Mercy
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35 (NKJV)
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:32-36 (NKJV)
I love to be around people I love. Sometimes, I avoid the people I don't. Like…
Challenging relatives, grouchy neighbors, or anyone who hurt me in the past. It's that simple. It's also that sinful. Why? It lacks mercy, which is… LOVE IN ACTION.
In choosing to hang with the easy sheep, I can neglect the more difficult ones
'What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? (Matthew 18:12). 'For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).
Is that sheep…
A partying prodigal?
A woman of ill repute?
A demon-possessed madman?
A denier of Jesus?
Practicing a foreign faith?
Living a different way?
Working for the enemy?
Stealing money secretly?
Disfigured beyond repair?
Down, out, and contemptible?
Easier to overlook?
God says… all the more reason to find it. 'There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7).
What if Jesus chose to overlook me? Because I snubbed Him for 51 years: years of pride, anger, and self-righteousness. What if God wrote me off as difficult?
But He didn't, so I mustn’t either– nor leave my SEEKING to Jesus alone. Like the Great Shepherd, 'I must be about my Father's business' (Luke 2:49).
I must build my bank account in Heaven. How? Showing mercy! Because if I do, God shows ME mercy.
The word, mercy, comes from a Latin word, 'mercedem,' meaning reward or wages. In Bible times, it 'applied to the heavenly reward of those who show kindness to the helpless' (Etymology Dictionary).
NOTE: Lost sheep may not realize they’re helpless. But God knows… they are.
'Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do' (Colossians 3:12-13). I must 'Put on the Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 13:14).
We can’t match our King’s love, but we must try.
Unforgiveness: Mercy (Part 3)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.