By: Rori Braum
Fortunately for all of us, YES, God really gives us many second chances. The human race would have been extinct long ago if God didn’t display His mercy upon us. What is mercy? It is the compassionate and benevolent action of God. He doesn't give us the punishment we deserve. Instead, He shows us favor, love, and compassion when we're suffering or have messed up—which pretty much includes all of us. The best part about God’s mercy is that we get it every single day of our lives. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV. These verses bring me great comfort in knowing that God’s love never ceases, His mercies last for all my days and beyond, and every morning I get to wake up fresh and start again, not repeating the same offenses but working on how to be a better version of myself.
At one time or another, each one of us has experienced God’s mercy. We have all sinned and deserve the punishment and death. I, for one, am so thankful for God’s mercy in sending Jesus to cover my sins—past, present, and future—with the blood that was shed on the cross once and for all. Since I have received His unconditional love, kindness, grace, and mercy, I am ever grateful to Jesus, because I deserved the punishment and death He received.
“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:12-13
The thing about mercy is that we can, like God, show mercy to others. We can show others God's true heart by demonstrating this trait of His. Showing mercy is not a weakness; it is taking judgement out of our hands and acting with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, especially when you have the power to punish or harm someone. Those of us who have experienced God’s mercy know the freedom and gratitude it gives us. So, in return, show mercy to others out of the gratitude we have for our heavenly Father and what He has done for us. When we don’t show mercy, we are judging others and assume the role of judge, which only God has the authority and right to judge.
Why show mercy? We as Christians have been shown great mercy by our heavenly Father; we, in return for His great love and sacrifice for us, can give this to others. Being a tangible example of God’s mercy helps others see that letting go of resentment and anger gives us peace; it helps us build better relationships with others by fostering forgiveness and understanding; and it is where we can put love in action by serving and providing practical needs for others.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
What does this look like in everyday life? It is simply treating people with understanding, offering to help those in need, and forgiving those who have wronged you. It is taking feelings of anger, resentment, or judgment and replacing them with compassion. Practicing mercy can be as simple as helping those in need, being patient, forgiving others, being kind to those who offend you, and offering second chances. In my life, this looks like volunteering at the local food pantry and giving out food boxes to struggling families while engaging in conversation that is uplifting and nonjudgemental. Ministering in the middle of a strip club to a girl who is drowning in sin and telling her God sees, values and loves her; rather than judging her and telling her she is a sinner and going to hell. Forgiving that one person in my life who pushes all my buttons and drives me crazy, but learning to lean into them with curiosity and a second chance to understand why I feel offended by their comments. Showering mercy on others gets a lot easier when we realize the depths of our own sin, and know we wouldn’t be standing here without that same mercy from God. When the opportunity arises this week, will we choose to show the same mercy to others that we have been given by God?