Obtain mercy

If a business, organization, or person hurts us or our family, we usually want revenge, don't we?

We may believe that it's wrong to feel this way so we may hide this desire from others.

In a general sense for societal misdeeds, many demand...

Justice.

Repayments.

Punishment.

Reparations.

We usually don't hear or read words like these --

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already.

Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers! 1 Corinthians 6:7-8

We want what's fair.

Many believe that only lawsuits can correct the injustices.

GET YOUR FAIR SHARE OF MERCY

Others may put faith in the Father of mercies [compassion] and the God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3 Who said,

"Vengeance is Mine. I will repay." Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19

Mercy from the Father means that instead of being punished, we can be forgiven, healed, and blessed because Jesus bore our sins and sicknesses in His own body. Matthew 8:16-17; Acts 3:26; 1 Peter 2:24

Others have received plenty of mercy, Psalm 86:5, 15 so we can, too. Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11

As He [Jesus] entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers [with skin disease].

They stood at a distance and raised their voices, shouting,

"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

When Jesus saw them, He said,

"Go, show yourselves to the priests."

And as they were on their way, they were cleansed. Luke 17:12-14

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him.

And there were two blind men sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"

Jesus stopped and called them.

"What do you want Me to do for you?" He asked.

"Lord," they answered, "let our eyes be opened."

Moved with compassion [mercy], Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him. Matthew 20:29-34

We may look back at our past Romans 6:20-21 and see ourselves now also as sinners in need of His mercy, but feeling unworthy to lift our eyes to heaven.

"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Luke 18:13

If we can say this from our hearts, what would be the Lord's response?

You can be justified, just as if you had never sinned. Luke 18:14; Romans 3:24; 5:9; Titus 3:7

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14

Past sins can be passed over, forgiven, purged, and cleansed. Romans 3:22-25; 2 Peter 1:9

A new creation can be formed in your heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17

You can be born again. John 3:3

Jesus loves you and me and will wash us from our sins in His own blood. Galatians 2:20; Revelation 1:5

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son [Jesus], so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:16-17

GIVE MERCY THAT YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return.

Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35-36

Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath.

For it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord."

On the contrary,

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him a drink.

For in so doing,

you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:13

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

"The one who showed him mercy," replied the expert in the law.

Then Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:36-37

MERCY SHOULD WIN

Why is mercy better than human vengeance, justice, repayment, punishment, or reparations?

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

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

Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:12-13

We give mercy because we've obtained mercy.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

The Father has given believers in the Lord Jesus Christ mercy that they don't deserve.

"For I [God the Father] will be merciful and forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12; 10:15-18

For God has bound up everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. Romans 11:32

Therefore, since we have a great high priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess.

For we do not have a high priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one Who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Your thoughts?

R. Jason