Mercy is the bridge between God’s justice and God’s grace, that was achieved at the cross, without which we would only face justice; but now we have grace lavished on us!
In today’s reading I got stuck in the word “mercy” described in the Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-38). I did a bit of deeper digging and here’s my recap.
- Is the act of withholding deserved punishment.
- Is forgiveness for a wrong committed.
- It is God’s character.
- He is the source of all mercy and the plumb line.
- An eternal attribute of God and not a fleeting emotion.
- It never ends – He is rich in mercy.
- His initiative to rescue us.
- Expects His children to do the same – show mercy!
- It is non-judgemental and non-condemnational.
- Divine economy – principle of reciprocity – with the same measure.
- Divine strength not weakness.
- A command and not a suggestion – to obey – not optional.
- Comes with a warning in Matthew 18: 35.