I've been thinking about grace and mercy lately and what they mean. According to the dictionary, grace is the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. Mercy is compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power.
Because of God's grace, he shows us mercy. Without understanding that you have been granted mercy, you can't understand grace. And if you don't show mercy to others, you don't understand grace. Christians should show mercy, for they are the ones who should most understand it. That Jesus came between us and our terrible, impoverished end, took it upon himself and served as our shield. He took what we deserved so we wouldn't have to suffer it ourselves.
This all goes hand-in-hand with the continual Biblical teaching of not judging others. When we see someone who is spiritually and physically impoverished, we should stare down their sin, really understand where they are, how they got there, the extent of their sin, and say, "I understand what you deserve, but I'm going to give you nothing but love. Nothing but the best. Nothing but support." Because that is what Jesus did.
James 2:13: "For judgement is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement."
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