One thing that we can never do enough of is to offer mercy and forgiveness towards those who have transgressed against us or simply have fallen short in their own life. It is important that we be quick to lift up those who are in need of mercy and not kick them while they're already down. Just as we have received mercy and forgiveness from the Lord for our many shortfalls, we should be quick to offer the same to those in need around us. We are no better than anybody else. We are all sinners in this world in need of forgiveness from the Lord. Just as God offers mercy, grace and forgiveness, so are we also to offer the same as His followers. The Bible says that no man can say that he loves God and yet he hates his brother because the two are complete opposites. For us to love God, we must also love those who haven't treated us rightly and we are to offer mercy and grace and love them with the love of the Lord. (Matthew 18:21-35) (1 John 4:20-21)

It may not be easy to look past the past, but it is a necessity in order for us to truly hold love at the center of our being. One thing we must always remember and keep in mind is that no one becomes better when vengeance is sought after and administered. No one rises higher when revenge is all that one thinks about. It is only by forgiveness that reconciliation takes place, it is only by offering mercy that our own hearts let go of the hatred that was instilled there before. What is mercy and grace anyways? It is the willingness to look past one's failings and show them compassion and forgiveness when it was within our power to do otherwise. (Matthew 22:37-40)

I encourage you to think about your own life. Are you harboring hatred towards another? Are you holding on to unforgiveness because of an offense that someone did to you 5 or 10 years ago? Ask yourself the question, “Why hold on to it?” See that it is to your benefit to let it go and let God be your vindicator. The Bible declares in Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Romans 12:18-21)

Seek forgiveness if you have transgressed against another and offer forgiveness to those who have transgressed against you. God commands that just as He offers forgiveness to us so must we also offer forgiveness. When you do forgive you will truly understand the meaning of love as God has intended from the beginning of time.

I hope this message ministers to your heart to do all that you can to forgive those who have done wrong against you and love them with the love of the Lord.


THE QUALITY OF MERCY

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

There was once a man who owed another man a great deal of money. The borrower had been repaying his lender faithfully for several months. Then he was hurt on the job and could no longer work. He had some insurance, but it was barely enough for him and his family to survive. The lender saw all of this and, in spite of the fact that the man still owed many thousands of dollars, he instantly and quietly forgave the debt.

The quality of mercy is not strain'd.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

The Bard certainly had it right. Mercy, indeed, blesses both the one who gives and the one who receives. Mercy is not only a quality in God, but a quality that He demands from His people.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines mercy as “compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power.” We are under the power of God -- believers and non-believers alike. Mercy is the foundation of God's covenant with His creation. It is the driving force that helps Him forge His relationship with His children.

Our God is a merciful God.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us -- yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” (Isaiah 63:7)

While God shows us mercy, He also directs us to show mercy to others. The “compassionate treatment” that defines mercy includes forgiveness. No matter what someone does to you, God directs you to forgive them and not to seek retribution.

“Do not hate your brother in your heart... Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself...” (Leviticus 19:17-18)

This familiar refrain was repeated by Jesus a thousand years later.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

Forgiveness and mercy go hand in hand with both God and man. The two are inseparable because the prerequisite of forgiveness is mercy. Without mercy on earth, there can be no forgiveness in Heaven.

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

O God, Father of all things, we thank you for the infinite mercy you have shown us, your children. May we love one another as you have loved us. Give us strength so that we may forgive our transgressors as you have forgiven us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

By Charles Edwin Price


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Romans 12:18-21 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Mark 11:25-26 Jesus says, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: THE POWER OF HABIT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem107.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: MY TESTIMONY OF GRACE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony86.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry