Mercy Trumps Wrong

From time to time people let us down. They often act less than honorably by going back on their word, and at times even seek to justify their actions by conjuring up supposed wrongs perpetrated by you. The immediate natural response is retribution.

I’ve heard Believers justify their intemperate response to wrongs with the oft quoted expression, “Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.” The question, of course, is how would our Dear Lord have us respond.

Scripture teaches that God is “longsuffering.” He is merciful, even though all of us deserve His very harshest judgment. Romans 3:23 teaches that all of us are sinners, and according to Is. 64:6 we cannot possibly do enough good to offset our innate evil, so we’ve need mercy; and the longsuffering God of Glory has provided such mercy. He has made provision for us, and fulfilled the demands of that provision Himself. He has received us, not based upon our merit, but upon His mercy.

Now, He teaches His followers to have mercy upon others in the same way He has had mercy upon us. . Look at Luke 6:33. “And if you do good to them which do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even unbelievers do that.” And look also at Luke 6:35,36. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

Wow! I’m expected by God to demonstrate mercy to those who lie, cheat, misrepresent, and selfishly distort facts for their gain.

“But,” you say, “you just don’t understand what this person has done, and how much he continues to hurt and harm me.” The fact is, if you can’t forgive that person and show mercy, then you cannot expect God to show mercy to you. James 2:13 says, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy, because mercy triumphs over judgment.”

If you’ve already received God’s mercy through salvation, then it is important that you demonstrate mercy to others so that God will be merciful to you for the sins you commit after salvation.

This is why we seek no retribution when we are wronged by others. It is a path which one cannot walk if he is filled with pride. Pride is pre-occupied with the present, while the humble is trusting in future justification. One day, those who have ruthlessly mis-represented you will be exposed–if not in this age, then surely the next.

The Faith-Walk Life entrusts those things in the hands of a loving God who delights to wrap His arms around you and draw you to Himself when you are oppressed. Trust Him. His way will bring you joy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”