"Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy."
Imagine a world without mercy: No forgiveness. No help for the needy. No salvation.
Mercy is part of our world for one reason only – because we’re created by a God "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:1-5).
His Word offers these merciful truths:
1. Mercy can't be earned (Titus 3:5).
2. We learn mercy from God (Luke 6:36).
3. Refusing to show mercy is a sign of ingratitude (Matthew 18:21-35).
4. Mercy flows from wisdom.
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
5. “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).
There is a time for judgment, but there are times when mercy overrides judgment.(1)
Do you love mercy? (Micah 6:8)
Blessed are the merciful!
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Note: Mercy is not the same as grace: "While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. To summarize the difference: mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy." Got Questions
(1) Despite the popular teaching that only God can judge, Scripture commands us to judge in a number of situations as long as we do it appropriately (see How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture). But there are important times that mercy replaces judgment. The best example is God's salvation to those who repent (Romans 6:23). Other examples include returning good for evil (Romans 12:21), forgiving those who offend us (Colossians 3:13), and lovingly praying for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
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Here the key is to start by loving yourself and forgiving yourself. Otherwise, you will not be able to love and forgive others.
ReplyDeleteActually, that is a popular misunderstanding.
DeleteIf we start by focusing on ourselves, loving ourselves, forgiving ourselves, we'll fail to be the person God wants us to be.
There is not a single mention in Scripture of loving ourselves except in a negative sense.
2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be LOVERS OF SELF, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
Philippians 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
It is a popular false teaching to turn the the verse "Love your neighbor as yourself"(Mark 12:31) upside-down and claim that we must first love ourselves in order to love our neighbor.
But that contradicts Scripture. If self-love were a problem, Jesus would have commanded it this way: "First love yourself and then love your neighbor as yourself." But Jesus knows that we already love ourselves enough to care for ourselves. And Scripture confirms that here:
Ephesians 5:29: "After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church--"
For one thing, this verse doesn't mean have affection or warm feelings or a high view of your neighbor's personality. It means treat him as you want to be treated. If he's hungry feed him. If he's thirsty give him something to drink. If he needs help, help him. We are supposed to do the same with our enemies. The kind of love used here mean human decency. It doesn't mean affection or even friendship. If it did, it would be an impossible command in regard to our enemies or in regard to people we don't even know.
If we focus on ourselves, we become discouraged or proud.
Scripture tells us to have a realistic view of ourselves, aware of our sins and aware that we are all selfish creatures.
Romans 12:3: "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."
Corrie Ten Boom put it this way: “If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.”
If a person is feeling bad about themselves, they need to address any sins that might be making them feel that way. If it's not sin, they need to quit focusing on themselves and focus on others and read more Scripture to renew their minds. and as they do that, they will gain the right perspective about themselves. If they feel un-forgiven, they need to focus on the Lord's promises and quit trying to play God in their lives as if they decide their own forgiveness.
I disagree with you Gail. There is a difference in self love. Carnal from which we love ourselves through the world's eyes. Then the love that God has commanded us. Loving ourselves for we are the Creation of HIM. Because of that we too are LOVE. How do we not love ourselves? That is the Essence of Loving God by loving ourselves hence follows the ability to Love others. Again NOT carnal love
ReplyDeleteHi Unknown,
DeleteMan's problem from the beginning of time has been putting self above God. The Essence of Loving God is dying to self, not loving self:
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."
If you are saying we are supposed to care for ourselves - feed, clothe, and protect our bodies - I agree.
But Scripture always talks about self-love as a problem, not a good quality. The Scriptures in my comment above confirm that.
I am a non denominational Christian and read from the King James Bible.Is this the bible you use also? Thank you, for your reply.
ReplyDeleteI use a variety of reliable Bible translations. I went to a conservative, Bible-honoring non-denominational seminary, and I have thoroughly studied the reliability of modern translations.
DeleteIf you've been taught the KJV is the only reliable translation, you need to read my article on the side bar. Sadly, there is a great deal of false teaching about translations and few people who've been taught this false view are willing to look at the facts.
There is a deceptive teaching that claims that newer translations have left out verses and that is a complete lie, but few people are willing to get the facts after they've heard that teaching.
If you are willing, please see the right side bar and click on the picture which says "Are Modern Translation Corrupted"