Mercy

And who are we to judge? Who are we to decide whether or not a person is worthy of our forgiveness? Who are we?

The prophet Isaiah said it best:

All of us have become like one who is unclean
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags
we all shrivel up like a leaf
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.


We may see ourselves as great people; holy, righteous, loving, educated, whatever. We have to remember however that no matter how great we think we are, our greatest acts and endeavors are like "filthy rags." There is good news to tack onto this however. Our Father in Heaven knows this about us. He knows those secret places in our hearts that house envy, self righteousness, jealousy, hatred, greed, etc. And even knowing all of this about us, He still chooses to offer his love and mercy. Isn't it funny then how we can know a few simple undesirable characteristics about another and throw them to the curb? What about the mercy that was shown to us? Should we not extend that to others?

I am not saying mingle and dwell among them folks that we know ain't about nothin, nor am I saying that we should hang out with people who are simply not beneficial to our walk with the Lord and encouraging our spiritual growth. But even when we decide to separate ourselves in the natural (because the Lord has separated us in the spirit), we have to extend the greatest mercy to those from which we've separated. We have got to pray for them. We have got to offer them our love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Are we so rigtheous that we can decide who is worthy of our mercy and forgiveness? The answer is simple: No, we are not (Isaiah 64).