Beyond the Weekend

August 30 | Mercy

August 30, 2017

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Read the entire passage: 1 John 2:1-6

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Some mistakes are little, and some are big. We feel the weight of mercy much more when the consequences are greater. In our relationship with God, his mercy is almost beyond comprehension. We deserved separation from God because of our sin, but we are spared that penalty through Jesus.

The cold-hard fact is sin must have payment. In the Old Testament of our Bibles, this payment was made by animal sacrifice. But this blood was not sufficient to pay for our sin. The blood of God-in-flesh was the only payment sufficient to relieve us from our debt. This is mercy.

God’s mercy to us is the foundation from which all forgiveness flows. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness does not mean all is forgotten or ignored. Forgiveness means giving up the right to get even or expecting payment in return.

Forgiveness is often a process, but we can follow the example of Christ. Empowered by his Spirit, we can forgive anything. And God desires for us to live in true forgiveness with each other.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Who do you need to forgive? Our wounds may vary in type and intensity, yet the remedy is the same. God desires for you to experience his healing in your life—a healing that often comes through the process of forgiveness. Write the name of the person or organization you need to forgive on a piece of paper and begin a prayer of forgiveness towards them today.

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