“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
--Matthew 5:7
Yesterday we talked about bitterness and how it can have such a devastating impact on your life.
While bitterness can be as a result of some big event, major abuse, or significant mistreatment in your life, too often, it comes from some small hurt that is nourished and nurtured until it grows to be a powerful force and factor in your life.
As a pastor, I can tell you—I’ve seen the effects of bitterness again and again and again. And the natural question is, why on earth do people do this to themselves?
Well, some people do it because it just feels good. They’re sort of addicted to their anger. Others do it because they have a sense of self-righteous superiority or pride.
Whatever the reason, it’s resulted in a lot of angry Christians who are long on mad and short on mercy! And those lives don’t reflect our Savior’s love, mercy, and grace which is infinite.
That’s why I encourage you to model Christ today by showing mercy to someone who doesn’t deserve it. Cut someone some slack! Assume that their intentions are good! I think you’ll be amazed how your life will change when you do this on a consistent basis.
Make it your goal to be a person who is short on mad and long on mercy!
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”
Luke 17:34–36
Donald Barnhouse pastored in Philadelphia during World War I, and a young soldier who had been converted during the war asked him for advice on how to avoid falling back into his old lifestyle. Barnhouse suggested that he simply make his commitment to Christ public. He said, “You will not have to give up improper friends if you do—they will give you up.” When the soldier got off the train at the station, he met a young lady he had known before. When she asked how he was doing he replied, “The greatest thing that could possibly happen to me has happened.” When she asked if he had gotten engaged he replied, “No, it’s better than that. I’ve trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour.” She quickly ended the conversation and went on her way. He had a similar conversation with another pre-war friend, and soon found that those he had known before who would pull him back into ungodly living stopped coming around.
The message of Jesus is a message of peace with God through salvation. It is not, however, a message of peace on earth, nor will there ever be such peace until He returns to rule the world. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). It would be nice if being a good Christian meant that everyone would automatically like us and respond kindly to us, but the reality is the opposite. This vile world is no friend to grace, and if we are to follow Jesus, there will be those who will refuse to come with us.
Today’s Growth Principle:
It is impossible to be friends with the world and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
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