Freely Give: Love, Grace and Mercy

This post is near and dear to my heart because I have been tried and tested concerning these three things.

It is not so easy to be merciful, full of compassion and loving to someone that hurts you intentionally and more than once.

But God…

He convicts me and reminds me of things that I have done, the lifestyle I once lived, and the fact that I don’t always be obedient and YET He still loves me. He still shows grace and He shows me mercy when I don’t deserve it. When I knew better but still did wrong. When my actions didn’t show that I love Him with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength.

And YET He still had mercy on my soul. He freely showed me love and kindness, so who am I to withhold mercy from anyone else?

In order to give love, grace and mercy to others, we need to know what these three things are and why we should give them.

What is Love?

God is Love?

“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Can you replace the word love with your name and it all be true? Love is more than a verb, It is an action verb. Love is work that you daily need to work on.

Confession from a human being in need of Jesus’ help…

I am not always patient…

I can be kind, but my thoughts don’t always be kind…

When I lost my job and didn’t get a call for another one, I envied the blessings of others…

I have carried a prideful and conceited spirit…

I have contributed to gossip. And gossip only defames one’s character, not build them up.

I still have to ask God to help me think of others more important than I…

I may not get angry easily, but I do get annoyed easily…

And yes at times, I have a tendency to bring up the old. Bring up what someone has done wrong to me. How they offended or hurt me and wouldn’t let it pass my heart.

But what if God did all of that to me? Gave up on me because He was tired of being patient. Showed no grace and compassion when I messed up? Always kept a record of my sins after He said He forgives me?

I wouldn’t be free. I would still be held in bondage. But Jesus came to set the captive free. He set me free by His love and released me from darkness by His truth.

And I should do likewise. You should do likewise. We have no excuse not to do likewise.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37)

What is Grace?

Grace is unmerited favor and love of God.

In the Book of Colossians 3:13 NLT, the writer and apostle, Paul, wrote a command from God. He said, “make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

Have any of you experienced a time or times when you made a mistake and you were not shown grace? Instead, you were scolded and condemned for it. What about in your relationship or marriage? Has your significant other or spouse did or said something that was very hurtful? Or did you do or say something that they wouldn’t show you grace for?

What about you that are parents? When your child made a mistake or did something wrong, did you call them insulting words instead of extending grace? What about that family member, friend or co-worker that gossiped and belittled you behind your back?

I’m sure most of us have been the offender at some point and been offended by others. It is easier to point out the hurt than to give compassion. But what about when we grieve the Holy Spirit and yet God still shows us grace and love despite of.

God’s grace can never be earned. You can’t work your way to grace. He doesn’t give you grace because you deserve it. He gives you grace because He loves you.

As a child of God, although it is not always easy, we are called to extend the grace that was given to us.

What is Mercy?

According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, mercy simply means compassion or forgiveness shown to someone whom it is one’s power to punish or harm.

As I was typing the above statement, I was thinking how we, as a human race, can be so disobedient at times in the way He has called us to live or in things He has called us to do, and yet He chooses mercy over punishment.

When He calls me to be merciful, He reminds me of His word. Ephesians 6:12 it states, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”.

His word reminded me that I see flesh, but I don’t see the spirit(s) in that person. There is a spiritual battle that is happening behind the scenes. We are in spiritual warfare daily and Satan will use His demons to attack, insult, degrade, slander etc.

But if you live in the Word and the Word in you, walk in the Spirit and the Spirit in you, you will have the power and authority to choose mercy over punishment. Mercy over bitterness. Mercy over anger. Mercy over revenge. Mercy over unforgiveness.

When God looks at us, He knows that we are only humans. He knows that our flesh is weak but… His spirit is always willing. His spirit will always overcome. His spirit will never pay back evil for evil.

When God looks at us, He knows if our actions and behavior is driven by a spirit of darkness or the Spirit of light. And because of that knowledge of His creation and power of Satan, He gives mercy, grace and love.

But *this is important*, if you choose not to have mercy on others, God will not show you mercy on Judgement Day. (James 2:13)

Showing mercy where it is not deserved is a hard pill to swallow, but that pill is nothing compared to what Jesus had to endure.

“He was pierced for our transgressions (sins), he was crushed for our iniquities (wickedness), the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) And before he died by crucifixion, Jesus called out to heaven and said, “Abba (Father) forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5: 1-2

Thank you for reading and I hope this message has helped you and if it is not for you, please feel free to share. A world that is not built on love, grace and mercy is a world that is falling apart. If it is not easy to love, show grace and mercy, I wholeheartedly recommend going to God about this heart issue and letting Him help you.

I also recommend reading this other blog post of mine in regard to unforgiveness. https://girlonamissionblog.com/unforgiveness-a-hindrance-to-your-harvest/

Feel free to leave a comment if you are open to share what is on your heart.

Listen to this awesome podcast by my sis in Christ, CeCe Echols!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/one-life-with-cece-echols/id1549029731?i=1000611358038

A Worship Song by: Cain “The Commission”