Mercy. It’s such a strange un-human concept. At our base level, no human has a knee-jerk reaction that is merciful unless there is an outside force acting upon our naturally self-centered minds. If we don’t immediately jump to revenge-mode it’s likely because of two things: We are concerned about how society (read “friends or family”) will view our actions (so we reign in our desire to exact revenge or lessen our reaction to the wrong.) We extend mercy as an out-flow of something deeper, purer – namely a relationship with the God of the universe, leaving room for God’s judgment. ( Romans 12:9 ) God sent His perfect Son to live a sinless life, be obedient to the point of shedding His blood and death, then to rise bodily from the grave – providing hope of eternal life. Through Christ’s sinless life, death, and subsequent resurrection, the penalty for sin ( death ) was satiated and God freely offers mercy to us despite our sinful rebellion. (...
Ruminations about being human in a world that expects more...