Love It? Or Want It?

My spiritual life began with a desire for mercy. A cry for mercy is the very definition of birthing pangs for being ‘born again’.

Jn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We must be born again. We must have a beginning to our spiritual journey in this life. It starts… with repentance.

Mt 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And repentance is a cry for mercy. A ‘sinner’ gets called to ‘repentance’ with a hope for 'mercy'. You CAN'T repent… unless you know you’re a sinner. The first awakening of your spirit is a realization that God intends to subject you… to judgment.

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

And so… we ask for (and receive)… mercy. We WANT our mercy! And we get it!

Lk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Lk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

What follows then, is a life of constant learning and growing and conforming to the image of Jesus, which is really not a sudden thing. It takes time. And during all of those days, we often realize new and disturbing things about our own true natures and once again… feel a need for fresh mercy…

Ro 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Ro 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

The point is, any and every Christian who practices their faith… is in a constant desire for mercy from God. If you ever reach a point in your spiritual attitude where you don’t think you need mercy any more… for even a minute… you will have entered the ‘self righteous zone’.

We WANT mercy. Must have it. We don’t take it for granted. Appreciate it and we’re glad we’ve got it.

And then… we are told to practice mercy on others.

Mt 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Whoops! Not only does God expect me to forgive other folks, He’s gonna use MY OWN MERCY as a measuring stick against me! Not just little tiny mercy, either! BIG mercy!

Mt 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Inviting someone to hit me… AGAIN… is not something I’ve been doing a lot of.

(sigh) I’m in trouble. So, for the next few years, I work on forgiving people. I’ll spend a few minutes each night, peacefully thinking of folks who might need some forgiveness. The guy who cut me off on the road this morning. The co-worker who stabs me in the back every day. etc. I forgive them. Yep. This is a good thing.

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

So I’ve reached the point where I not only want and ask for mercy (which is really a big thing)… I’m also PRACTICING a little mercy on the side. Good stuff. I’m gonna be forgiven and go to Heaven. God is watching. You ‘n me, God! Right? I’ve got this ‘mercy’ thing down! You're gettin' all this down, right God!?

Do I really want Him to be keeping score just yet? Am I ready to have Him examine my own ‘mercy account’ and measure me by it? Is there any aspect of mercy that I’m leaving out?

Let’s remember now, that our Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, is/was the embodiment of mercy. He came to earth for the single purpose of becoming the mercy of God for mankind. Of all His attributes, none is more important or significant than His mercy.

If we are to enjoy Him and His nature, then we are supposed to…wait for it…ENJOY…mercy.

Ps 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

That’s a little different. I personally enjoy a variety of things. I enjoy a good meal (it shows). I enjoy my lady’s bright eyes and my grandbaby’s laughter. I enjoy good music. I enjoy college football. These things (and many others) are pleasantries in my life that bring small or large smiles to my face. Moments of… “Aaahhhhhhh!!” Or… “I’m glad THAT happened!”

But, do I enjoy mercy? Am I saying, “Ah!” when a ‘mercy moment’ occurs? Really?

Because the need for mercy in my heart… MUST… be accompanied by someone or something… hurting me in some way. Without a transgression against me, there is no need for me to forgive.

Hmmm. Okay, so maybe I want mercy and I’ll practice mercy as I’m told to do, but I’ll be ) &%_*#^%!& (fill in the adjective of your choice here)…. If I’m gonna LIKE it when someone hits me right in the mouth!

Mt 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Did HE just say… ‘rejoice’!?

Yup.

Let’s recap. I let someone hit me, for Jesus’ sake. Then, I have to let them hit me again. And while they’re doing it and while my split lip is bleeding and while I’m spitting out teeth…instead of anger and resentment…instead of blind obedience to a spiritual command that I really don’t understand…I’m supposed to have real joy…coursing through me at that very moment!!??

I’m supposed to LIKE it!?

Yup.

Well, not the pain itself, really. What we rejoice over is the chance to be doing something our Lord did. True forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t justice. It can’t be earned. In fact, forgiveness is exactly the opposite of ‘earning’ and ‘justice’ and ‘fairness’. We aren’t being fair when we forgive. We’re being merciful. And rejoicing that we can.

Because if I don’t rejoice… then I still don’t ‘get it’. My kingdom, the one I’m waiting on and believing on, has different values in it. Indeed, the very fabric of God’s kingdom is mercy, hope and faith. These things have substance there and are the excitement of existence…in our future home.

A good steak is nothing…compared to a moment of true mercy.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: