Inside each of us there is a hunger and a thirst for justice. We want to see the guilty person get his just due. Yet, when it comes to ourselves, we want mercy and grace extended in our direction. We may be deserving of the worst kind of punishment, but we long for someone to give us a second chance before harshly condemning us.
Although God is just in His ways, He also is merciful. In fact, God's Word makes it simple: "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). God would rather extend mercy toward us than the harsh consequences of judgment. That is why Jesus gave His life for us—so we would not have to suffer the consequences of sin. Jesus paid the debt we owe for our sin.
God's heart beats with love and kindness, so, too, should ours.
As believers pursuing the heart of God, we must emulate His heart. As God's heart beats with love and kindness, so, too, should ours. That means that when someone sins against us, we do not revile him for his actions and sever our relationship with him; rather, we should lovingly approach him and seek reconciliation.
Instead of carrying around in our hearts a thirst for vengeance against someone who has wronged us, we should bestow upon him an abundance of grace and kindness, knowing that such an act can soften even the hardest of hearts. As we live for Christ in these ways, we prove that His grace and kindness can transform a heart of sin into a heart that loves God.
Set a goal to demonstrate God's grace and kindness to everyone, for all men and women are in need of His life-changing compassion.
Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with grace and kindness for the world around me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit" (Job 10:12).
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