Inspired By Mercy

How do you know if someone is really needy or just looking to take advantage of you?

This is a very difficult question to answer unless you have perfect discernment (which I do not).

I tend to trust people. Over time, I have learned that people will let me down, lie to me, or just plain seek to take advantage of me. I often get pulled into their story. Sometimes I learn that it is legitimate, but other times learn that it is not entirely true and even other times, that it is a bold-faced lie. As a result, I can find my heart hardening toward others and actually miss out on an opportunity to positively impact someone’s life.

This past Sunday, Pastor Jared talked about the Greek word Makrothumia, which is the kind of patience we need to deal with others. It is inspired by mercy, which is defined as giving something to someone that they do not deserve.

Romans 12:17-19 tells us,

“Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’”

Everyone has a story, and some people will twist theirs to their own advantage, even if it means hurting someone else. It is not my responsibility to avenge that or repay their evil with evil. God will handle that in His time. My responsibility is to respond to the Holy Spirit’s tug on my heart to help someone in need, even if I don’t know the whole story.

As Pastor Jared reminded us, “When we struggle being merciful to someone, remember that God was merciful to us.”

Pastor Ken