Do We Show Mercy Well....

In our Bible class yesterday we were looking at James 2 and talking about how "mercy triumphs over judgement".  It has made me think about the word mercy and the different definitions it has.

By definition the word mercy can mean the following...
"An act of kindness, compassion, or favor"
"The disposition to be compassionate or forbearing"
"Something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing"
"The discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishement"
"Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence"

These are all things I freely give in any situation.  But what about times that mercy might not fall into one of these categories.  What about when that guy on the freeway cuts me off because he didn't get over in time to exit?  What about that person in front of me in the express line that has 30 items instead of the 15 they are supposed to have?  What about the person who walked into a door in front of me and lets it slam into me?  What about the person who comes and gets at the front of the line when you have been standing in line waiting for 30 minutes... or longer?  What about, you fill in the blank....  There are probably hundreds of other scenarios you have been in, in which mercy was the last thing on your mind.

But what has hit me hard is that I'm not only called to show mercy to those I know are in need but also those who may seem harsh or just down right rude.  I admit, the worse time for me is when I'm behind the wheel of a car.  Let's face it, it just seems like some people are horrible drivers and just don't care who they cut off or almost sideswipe.  We've all been there.  But I also know there have times when I myself have been "the other driver".  The one who probably cut you off by accident.  I may have been the one that was preoccupied and let the door slam on you without thinking about it.  And in thinking about those times, sometimes it's not because I am intentionally not paying attention, it because something heavy is on my mind.

Could it be that when I am frustrated with someone else because I think they are not paying attention that maybe they have something weighing them down as well?  Maybe that guy that just cut me off on the freeway just got a call about an emergency in their family.  Maybe that person in the express line with too many items is a single mom who has been working all day and is trying to get some food for her kids before she is late to pick them up at day care and charged extra fees.  Maybe that person who let the door slam on me is someone who just got some horrible news and they are paralyzed with what they've found out.  It could be any number of reasons.


We've all been in these frustrating situations.  I know it's frustrating even maddening when things happen especially when you are driving.  But my goal for this week is to try and extend mercy in every situation... including those that happen on the freeway, in a grocery line, through a closing door, etc.  And if I can do it this week, then it can become a pattern.  I need to remember that while there are some rude people out there, most people are not intentionally rude.  And you know what, even those who are rude may be that way because they have never been shown mercy. 

We cry out to God asking him for His mercy on a regular basis.  We cry out to God knowing that He is there and will grant us mercy... regardless of our situation.  We cry out to God asking Him for His mercy to protect us.  We cry out to God when we are in agony asking and begging Him for His mercy.  Are we as willing to extend mercy as often as we are asking God for His mercy?  My goal, is to try and show mercy always...  because Mercy Always Triumphs Judgement! 

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. 

Mercy triumphs over judgment.  James 2:12,13

Blessings!!

Sharing God's Love

I have not been able to sleep well for several days.  Thoughts keep coming into my mind so maybe someone else needs to hear what I feel the Lord is telling me.

I have been reminded over and over the last week that if we are seeking God and our hearts are open, God will give us opportunities to share with others about what the Lord has done for us.  And I have also been reminded about some very important truths about God... truths that continued to show up this morning in our bible class.

God will always give you opportunities to tell and show others about Him.  Whether God gives you a platform of 7000 people, a platform of 200 men or women, a platform of a bible class or whether He gives a platform of one; it's how we use those opportunities that will speak volumes into the world around us about who God is.  Regardless of the platform God gives you, God calls you to use that opportunity well.  God calls you to share with others what He has done in your life.  He calls you to give them a message of faith, hope and love.  He calls you to speak love, mercy and compassion into their lives and hearts, and God calls you to be a listener... because sometimes He may speak to you through the words and/or actions of others.

I love how The Message phrases James 1:19-21... "Post this at all the intersections, dear friend: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.  God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger.  So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage.  In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life."


James 2 (NIV) says, "Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."  Period...


Matthew 12 says, "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of", so I want to make sure my heart is full of God's love, God's compassion and God's mercy.  If God's mercy always triumphs over judgement, then why do we always seem to be trying to judge others.  If God's mercy triumphs over judgment and if I have God living in me, then the words I speak should always be words of Love, words of Hope, words of Compassion and words of Mercy.

So if "mercy triumphs over judgment", the question becomes... How are you going to use those opportunities when God presents them to you?  What if... the moment you spend with that person or that group of people is going to be the only moment in which they will ever hear words about who God is?  What if... that moment is the only moment in which you have a chance to share with others what God has done in your life?  What if... what you speak in that moment defines what a person thinks about God for the rest of their life?  What if... in that one moment you have the chance to change someone's life?

The what if's of how my words or actions about God can define God for someone else is humbling, it's terrifying, it's sobering, it's overwhelming.... but it's also exciting.  Because in that moment, I have the chance to tell them about the God "I" know.  A God who is full of Love, a God who is full of Compassion, a God who Listens, a God who has changed my life and a God who has told me through His word, that Mercy always triumphs over judgment... Praise God!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

1 Corinthians 13:13

Blessings!

Realizations

On my way into work this morning a guy passed me on a motorcycle who was wearing shorts and one of those thin summer casual button up shirts.  I admit, I have on occasion ridden my bike in shorts when the weather is really hot.  But my first thought when I saw this guy was "he's crazy for wearing those kind of clothes when he rides.  If he falls his skin is toast.  Literally!"  I know the reason I noticed was because of the thin type of shirt he was wearing.  But what really hit me in the next minute was that I was asking that question of him when I myself have done the same thing.

Of course, God loves to use those "moments" to "call me out" because I immediately thought, "how often do we do exactly what I just did in our own lives?".  How often do we question someone else for something they are doing when we ourselves are doing or have done the exact same thing?  How many times do we criticize someone for their actions, when in reality they could be criticizing us for the very same thing.  How many times do we think someone should be doing "more" when we ourselves are doing nothing?

Why is it, that as Christians we are sometimes so quick to point out what others are doing or not doing as the case may be; what we think is "right"?  Why do so many Christians feel the need to judge other people and their actions rather than looking inward at their own actions first?  I know that sounds like a blanket statement and I know very well that all Christians are not like that.  But sometimes, sadly, that may be the only "Christians" the world sees.


I really want to try and live my life seeing things, and more importantly people, how God sees them.  God does not judge you when He sees you... no matter what your circumstances or where you are... He only loves you.  God does not treat us the way we sometimes treat others.  He treats us better than we deserve.  He treats us All with the same grace and mercy that He wants us to show to others.


I really want people to know that I am a Jesus follower and that I want to love His people the way He loves me, unconditionally.  And quite frankly, as long as they know that about me and can see that in me, I don't really care if they know what church I "attend".... because they will know I "belong" to Jesus. It reminds me of the old song, "They Will Know We Are Christians by our Love".  If we don't love everyone... how will they know?


As I said, God calls me out in the strangest ways sometimes.  Who would have thought that me seeing someone riding a motorcycle in shorts and a thin summer shirt would lead to my "rantings" today.  :-)  Oh yah, God did!


I pray that God will always "call me out" when He sees something in me that does not look like Him!

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew

a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Blessings!