Judgment Vs. Mercy

Question: When it comes to relationships, would you say it is easier to focus on who is right or wrong or to extend unconditional forgiveness?  In any relationship- especially marriage, grace and mercy go a super long way.  It is guaranteed that any day and any moment I am going to need to be forgiven when I don’t deserve it.  I am so glad I have a wife who forgives and forgets.

Communion is an opportunity to celebrate forgiveness we don’t deserve!  Communion reminds us that forgiveness matters way more than deciding who is right or wrong. It is natural for us to want to discover who was wrong and then dwell on it.  However,  James 2:13 states mercy triumphs over Judgment. Our default is judgment, but it takes work to learn to extend mercy.  Matt 9:13. States, but go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. In other words- anyone can point fingers, anyone can figure out who was wrong, but undeserved forgiveness takes major self discipline!  

When we remember that we all have received forgiveness we do not deserve, when that really sets in, it changes how we treat one another.  We begin to be more forgiving and more accepting of one another.  Christ becomes more and we become less.  This is when the power of Christ is unleashed in our lives.  2 Corinthians 12: 9, My grace is sufficient for you.  My power is made perfect in weakness."   

Forgiveness is powered by love and we know in Ephesians 3:19  that love surpasses knowledge.  The goal is to grow in love more than knowledge. The goal is not to grow in proving who is right, but to grow in the ability to forgive and love others when they don’t deserve it.  

Communion reminds us of the power of forgiveness and love.  1 Corinthians 11:24-25 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Let’s pray:

Father, thank you for this moment that reminds us how much God loves us: not the feeling love, but the action love. The love that is patient.  The love that keeps no record of wrongs.  The love that always protects, always, trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.   The love that never fails.