James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.

God’s Mercy is for everyone. Now, this is an easy truth to grasp when we are considering ourselves, a loved one, and even a dear friend. However, when speaking about people who commit horrendous crimes, someone that may have betrayed us in the worst way, or a relative that abused us, we tend to forget the concept of mercy from God. Some of you may be cringing in your seat because you know where I’m about to go with this. I would encourage you to keep reading and allow God’s truth and His spirit to set you free.

Jesus talks about having mercy because we are a people who needed it the most. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God and even as believers we sin. Quiet as it’s kept, God knows everything we do from day to day. So, there is no need of faking or hiding as if God hasn’t seen every sin that we commit whether we are aware of it or not. We like to categorize our sin and mistakingly believe that we are better than other people because our sin looks different than others. That is a lie. We are no better than the next person – we are saved through grace and not works. Because of this truth, we recognize that when we still sin as believers, it further proves how much we not only need the grace of God, but the mercy of God. His word also teaches us that His mercy is for everyone, and if it were not so we would not be alive today to even experience His salvation through faith in Christ. His mercy kept us as sinners and allowed us to come into true freedom, everlasting life, and an abundant life in Christ.

God demonstrating His mercy on us every day should impression on us to also be merciful. Yes, I know that it is hard, especially if there is abuse, violence, or hurt in general involved with the people we are being merciful towards. However, the urgency to be merciful is that when we’re not merciful, God will not be merciful to us as shown in the focal verse. We don’t have time to partner with the enemy with unforgiveness and lack of mercy because that is a recipe related to the kingdom of darkness and not the kingdom of God.

So, think about who you are willfully not showing mercy to and perhaps have not forgiven, yet. Get them on your mind and bring Holy Spirit into your thoughts, into your heart, and allow God and His scriptures to heal you, free you, and deliver you from the entrapment of bitterness, pride, pain, heartache, malice, and (un)forgiveness. God desires to heal you and my desire is that you let Him. Remember His compassion and mercy towards you and let that lead you in your decision making to freedom today.

Be blessed!