By Lisa Wilmore
My Dear friends,
What’s in your life that still needs God’s Grace and Mercy?
All of us need God’s Grace and Mercy everyday of our lives. Without it, we would have departed this life a long time ago. In fact, as we grow in grace and take inventory of our lives, we will see a glimpse of “wrongdoings” or perhaps “wrong-thinkings” we have done that warrant a “Thank You, Father, for extending grace and mercy to us.”
When you look at the statistics of Christians receiving doctoral, master’ s and bachelor’s degrees throughout our communities, there are more educated Christians today than there were 50 years ago. Christians have become intellectually astute in explaining Scripture, understanding the purpose of Scripture, and even sharing with others their convictions which harvest their attention. Yes, if one were to look at the credentials of the biblical intellectual, one may think that sin does not abound in the life of those individuals. Well, this thought is far from the truth. No matter how much Christian education individuals receive, grace and mercy are still needed in their lives.
What’s your story? What areas in your lives are you thankful to God for His grace and mercy? Interestingly, we all have our daily mishaps that need God’s extended grace and mercy. Understanding it as such, grace is commonly defined by scholars and others as “undeserved favor”. Romans 3:24 declares, “We are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Comments-“Grace is what inclines God to give gifts that are free and underserved by sinners” (LASB).
One writer noted that “Mercy is when God shows leniency.” He withholds punishment from sinners even though they do not deserve it. Paul wrote in Scripture, “But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy” (Titus 3:4 ESV).
No matter what accomplishments or achievements you have made, you will always need God’s grace and mercy. There may not be a struggle with certain sins, but there may be some things or thoughts that infiltrate our hearts and/or minds that we must confess and thank Him for His mercy. These things can intrude your heart and cause evil thoughts, perhaps lust, envy or desires that ultimately are against the will of God. However, because of Jesus’ forgiveness, His grace and mercy has already stepped to the forefront and did what no other can do.
Jesus bore our sins through His death, burial, and resurrection. He extends His forever grace and mercy to those who believe in Him. What is in your life that needs God’s grace and mercy? “We will always need His grace and mercy.” “Thank You, Father, for Your grace and mercy!!”
Jesus Saves!
