Mercy beyond Belief (Part 2 of 3)

You'd think the most merciful people on earth would be the ones who had received God's mercy in Christ right? But that is not always the perception or the reality.

There are some common hurdles we often run into that can get in the way of becoming Merciful.

Christians are often seen as unmerciful, critical and judgmental, considering others undeserving of God’s grace. At times this is an unfair assessment – you sincerely want to reach others, but they misjudge you. At times it is fair - we start to think we’re not so bad; that Jesus makes good people better, that Jesus just gave us the final nudge rather than the truth: we were spiritually unable to do anything for ourselves and God rescued us from hell. Or we may see our own need and unworthiness but can’t relate to people we see as more sinful than we were or are. Sometimes it is warranted. It is hard to know where perception stops and reality starts. Not hard to admit the Church has an image problem in the world.

How can we overcome the perception and reality? Here are 5 ideas to apply prayerfully by God’s grace:

1. Talk less, listen, then do something. Try to help in some tangible way in the name of Jesus – like a cup of cold water, etc. Mercy acts on behalf of the undeserving and ill-deserving.

2. Don’t label people. Look beyond initial appearances and impressions. 1 Sam. 16:7 says man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart. Sometimes the outward appearance reflects the heart. Mercy looks beyond the surface to substance. Jesus knew Matthew’s heart. Mercy activates grace. Enables it to be given. Mercy sees a hopeful future. Do you see others as hopeless losers or candidates for redemption? If we shun ‘some’ we will not reach ‘many’ and God has called us to go to ‘all’ = everyone. Mercy looks beyond the surface. Yes, you will know them by their fruits but one piece of fruit is insufficient evidence. A pattern is one thing. Sometimes we make judgment at the first piece of fruit rather than seeing how things play out. Time will tell. We say fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. We guard our fragile egos and reputations lest we be taken advantage of. God extends mercy without merit.

3. Timing is everything. You can pick whatever controversial topic you want but here is one example: you wouldn’t get into a debate about abortion in a setting where there is a person who has had one. Seek to understand the context before trying to be understood. Lack of mercy demands, demeans, is harsh, hard-hearted. Mercy gives pardon, proclaims release to prisoners, has a heart of compassion characterized by tact, sensitivity, kindness.

4. Put yourself in their place. Empathize with them; walk in their shoes. Loving comfort rather than a debate. Think of how you have learned mercy. In my life it was through pain of being treated unmercifully by peers in my younger years. I also see God's mercy on a daily basis through the mercy He applies to me on a daily basis in my life. His mercy and grace are plentiful through the gospel. Daily through personal pain, we receive comfort from God.

5. Be real. Be genuine and honest. Remember (realize) where you came from (or what you could have done but for the grace of God). 1 Cor. 6:9-11 describes people whose pattern of life proves they are not saved. The Kingdom of God is the spiritual realm where God rules over all who belong to Him by faith. Genuine believers might commit these sins, but it won’t be the pattern of their life. They hate sin and seek to put it to death by the Spirit. Unrighteous falling short of the standard set by God. Paul says such were some of you. But you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Not all Christians are guilty of these sins, but everyone of is a sinner. Paul wrote the Church, saying those in it used to have these patterns of life. Washed refers to new life through spiritual cleansing and regeneration (2 Cor. 5:17). Sanctified refers to new behavior. Domination by sin is broken. We are not perfect, but are engaged in a new way of living. Justified refers to believer’s standing before God. Through Christ’s death on the cross, the believer’s sins were put on Christ and Christ’s righteousness given to him (2 Cor. 5:21). God is the source of our life in Christ.

Do these things prayerfully relying on God's mercy in your life and you will find you are being merciful and loving. Some Christians feel more accepted by unbelievers than believers – many believers struggle more with judgment toward believers than unbelievers. They are more hash with the family of God. Do these things with believers, you’ll be loving your brothers & sisters! As James says, judge nothing before the time because the Judge standing at the door. He is watching those who try to take His place. The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God; the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man.