Have Mercy
Grace and Peace!
Good Morning! Yesterday during my Sunday school class we went over several different questions. We discussed the importance of confessing our sins, why it helps with broken relationships, the benefits of being forgiven, and how we knew we’d been forgiven. At some point during class we all spoke up during discussion and there were a few things mentioned that were on my heart today. One of the questions discussed was, “What happens when we live with unconfessed sin?” There were a few answers, but I spoke up first because I knew I had testimony for how it can affect every part of your body. Several years ago someone said some very hurtful things to me, she was treating me so nasty, and I don’t need to repeat what was said or what relationship that came from, but it was a very difficult season for me. I struggled with unforgiveness of the worst caliber. My body ached, I had sore muscles in my back and shoulders, I had trouble sleeping, I was fatigued … it affected my whole body. It literally made my sick. I had to sit down with my tribe, my small group girls at church, and confess to them how bad I was struggling.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
I told them the bad and the ugly. There was no “the good, the bad, and the ugly”, just bad and ugly, because I’d let it get to a point to where my bad feelings were causing ugly consequences. I had ugly, hateful thoughts, that weren’t lining up with the Spirit, I felt bad; emotionally and physically exhausted, and knew I was physically sick because of it. I felt like I was stumbling in the dark. They prayed with me and they also told me that I had to pray for her. I knew they were right but I hadn’t been and I didn’t want to. They told me to keep praying for her even though I didn’t want to. It took some time, but eventually the more I prayed for her I began to want to pray for her, and a day came that I looked forward to praying for her. I no longer wanted to hide from it, I no longer felt the need to defend my reasons for being upset with her still, and no longer felt the need to retaliate with my words; because I was able to forgive her and have true repentance; I was able to ask the Lord to forgive me for sinning in this and I turned from what I was doing. I was able to turn from my negative feelings, turn from those feelings of wanting to justify being upset with her, walk away from needing to be right. My body felt strong and I had sound mind. I like to use that as a testimony now for people going through struggles with unforgiveness because I know how it can eat at you and affect you all over. A few of those women were sitting in that class yesterday morning, as I told the others what I’d gone through, and I was even more thankful for my tribe.
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord. ”And you forgave the guilt of my sin”.
Psalm 32:1-5
Sometimes we really do judge people who sin differently than us. We shouldn’t do that, instead we should point people to Jesus and hold people accountable for their actions, but we shouldn’t try to measure our owns sins against our neighbors; our brothers and sisters.
Sin Is Sin.
Stealing, Gluttony, Adultery, Murder, Anger ….. those sins are equally as bad as Lying, Lust, Envy, Greed, Pride.
Sin Is Sin.
We tend to think that stealing, adultery, and murder are the worst but … no. I was judging this person by her actions but then judging myself based on the fact that, “well I’d never do something like that” …….. back to comparing sins. Geeze.
Seriously. Sinner, here, remember?
Are we not doing transparency?
Oh, but our Lord is good and His words speak mercy and truth. If you can take a moment today to pause and pray, thanking our Father for His mercies that are new every morning, thanking Him for forgiving us for our sins….the joy it will bring.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
Where can I extend God’s mercy to other’s right here where He’s placed me? Where grace has been lavished upon me; where can I give an extension of mercy? Have you considered this today!?
If so … #application
if not … just love somebody.
Just love someone today.
Be a listening ear, be a hug around the neck, be a text “I love you”, be an invitation to morning coffee, be the “I’m sorry”, or the “You are forgiven” to those who might have wronged you. Be kind to your neighbor and kind to the strangers in your path. Love a little harder today.
Be love.
Be salt and light.
Have mercy.
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.“
Luke 6:36
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.”
Isaiah 58:6-9
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Psalm 51:1-7