The Mercy of God

     We can best measure the mercy of God in our lives by how much we extend mercy to others. The Word of God says that "He who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47), but when we receive this abundance of forgiveness by way of Jesus' death on the cross, we can experience this forgiveness firsthand for ourselves, and only then can we extend it to others without measure. I experience forgiveness every day as I cry out to God and ask Him for mercy for the things that I do that aren't pleasing to Him and that can very well negatively impact others. But it breaks my heart when others can't do the same. When someone hurts me, for as much as I long to cut them off or out of my life, I find out that I can't. But as painful as this may be sometimes, God has still given me an appreciation for the ability to forgive. Although I hurt when people fail me, the truth is that everyone needs to be forgiven. Sometimes it makes me angry when I can't cut people off. It hurts when people aren't accountable for the hurt that they've caused me. But I'm learning more and more every day that their wrong is first against God, and that I'm secondary in the order of things.
     Mercy and forgiveness are so necessary in this life. There will always be someone in need of forgiveness. Sometimes that person is me. But I am grateful to be in this place of extending kindness and forgiveness to others because torment comes with unforgiveness when we can't let our offenses go. The injustice that comes from this life is inevitable and theres no way of getting around it. However, the greatest injustice ever to be experienced was by Jesus in that He never committed any wrongs against anyone, and yet His innocent blood was shed so that many could be reconciled to God. He blessed, anointed, healed, prayed for many, and even resurrected the dead, and yet they still killed Him.
     From the cross, nailed and bleeding to death, He prayed for His murderers and asked the Father to "Forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), and His example is one before millions, of mercy and goodness even when it is undeserved. Forgiveness is not for the "deserving", it is extended to those that can't help themselves. We are a people that are filled with pain and we are destructive in nature, mostly towards ourselves. But God saw fit to provide a way of mercy, and that way is through Jesus Christ. Let us love one another knowing that God loved us first. Be blessed!!!