“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7)
We all stumble in many ways (James 3:2) and there is no man who does not sin (2 Chronicles 6:36). In this life, “it is impossible that no offenses should come (Luke 17:1)”. Many may offend you in life, and you are probably going to offend a whole lot more. We are all so badly in need of God’s mercy.
Provision has been made for us to come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy (Hebrews 4:16). Even so, we receive mercy to the degree that we show mercy unto others. It is the merciful who receives mercy (Matthew 5:7). Our expectation of mercy should dictate how we are going to live today. The Bible is also clear that yet in a little while, God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 1 Peter 4:7), and judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful (James 2:13)”. In the manner you treat those who offend you, you set your own standard for how you should be judged.
There is nothing to gain from holding on to grudges and unforgiveness. Doing so brings the realms of light and darkness on your case, and both act unfavourably towards you. If you are so unmerciful as not to forgive others, God does not forgive your sins too (Mark 11:26). What good is your life, if your sins are not forgiven? To refuse to show mercy and forgiveness is to move away from the character of Jesus Christ – He who when they hurled their insults at him, did not retaliate but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). To be unmerciful and unforgiving is to walk in disobedience, inviting and giving grounds to the spirit at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2) to operate in your life. And he comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
How long do you hold on to what others have done to you? How quick are you to forgive? Such a “simple” issue as being merciful and showing forgiveness has the power to decide where you spend eternity. Always live knowing that you are going to be judged one day. And if you expect mercy, start sowing seeds of mercy today. You are possibly going to be offended several times today. Just use each of them as an opportunity to exhibit the love of God and to set your own standard of judgment when Christ appears.
Kwadwo Omari
© 2015