Day 25: Say Now to Mercy

I'm catching up. Assuming nothing comes up tonight, I might be able to get the other entries done! In fact, I just finished two, so there are only three more backlogged. It's definitely attainable, but it's also mentally/emotionally taxing, so we'll see.

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Looking at the process from the original verses that we started this week with, we have to look at our own faults and then fix them, and then help our brother with his problems! The purpose of removing the plank isn't just because it gets in our way; it is also so that we can see clearly to be able to help others. Unfortunately our society throws up a smokescreen in regards to us trying to help others. I've spoken about it before: moral relativism. If we don't accept the idea that everyone is right in their own way because no one can ever truly be right, then we are judgmental and closed minded and living in the past. The idea of "tolerance" is presented as "accepting without opinion or comment whatever choices another makes." Here's the dictionary.com definition (I haven't used this site in so long!):
1. to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit.
2. to endure without repugnance; put up with.
3. Medicine/Medical- to endure or resist the action of (a drug, poison, etc.).
4. Obsolete- to experience, undergo, or sustain, as pain or hardship.
It comes from the Latin that meant "to bear." The funny part is that, of all the above definitions, the "obsolete" use is closest to the original meaning (medical "endure" also similar). So, this new-Age tolerance movement? It's crap. "It's a way for everybody to be able to express themselves," blah blah blah. . . what right do we have to express ourselves outside of the path and plans that our CREATOR has set for us? Even better: why would we WANT to do something that we weren't intended to do? It's one thing when you don't know better, and there are a lot of lost people out there, but for those who claim to follow Christ and yet will not reach out to Jews, gays, drug addicts, teenagers, because "it's not my place," guess what- it IS your place, your calling and your responsibility! Now, don't get me wrong- I do not support the crazy groups that antagonize and spew hatred at those groups (Westboro Baptist comes to mind- just typing that out is getting me pretty riled up). You can disagree with someone and still love them, and you also don't have to back off on your beliefs even if the other person doesn't agree. You have to show them MERCY.

Sorry, that was kind of a lame transition, but I had to get back on topic. Showing mercy is very difficult, because so often it is not accepted (often misinterpreted as judgment). The book made a good point: when Christ was going through the whole process of the crucifixion, He was constantly being made fun of, hurt, and otherwise ridiculed, and yet through His death He still forgave them and covered their sins, even though many would not accept it. We should expect no different. And think when someone offers you mercy. I know my first reaction is sometimes "What's your angle?" We think that people are helping us out of pity, or maybe spite, or maybe we think they want to elicit some response out of it. We have to be courageous not only to show mercy, but to receive it. The book lists some practical ways to show mercy, like being kind and patient, getting along with people, and forgiving (the verse all that comes from is in Colossians). We forget that simple things, like accepting responsibility instead of projecting blame on someone else, can have such crucial impacts in our relationships.

Finally, this chapter mentioned Micah 6:8, which was the theme verse for camp. :)

Point to Ponder: The alternative to judgment is not tolerance; it is mercy.
That's a pretty revolutionary statement. It's definitely something that we can use to combat the moral relativism that pervades our society, because it causes us to bring to light that there is indeed a standard to which we are measured, and it's not just every man for himself. Sometimes I feel Christians forget that too; they have their "salvation card," and that becomes their shield and defense for any attack on their sinful characteristics or problem areas in their lives. Of course we don't like to be told that we are wrong, but think about the implications of our wrong actions: we are hurting and grieving our Heavenly Father.

Verse to Remember: Colossians 3:12- "God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to others, be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Get along with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you."
I love Colossians. Look at that first statement: God has chosen us. It's not just at random; He has given us skills and interests and put us in the exact positions where those things can be used to further His kingdom. And these verses carry great instructions we can use in everyday interactions.

Question to Consider: To whom can I show mercy today?
Hmm. . . well, considering the last part of the chapter, just being nice/kind/gentle with anyone I interact with today (and in the future) is a good start.