Thankful for mercy and grace
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Today is the day when families gather together to extend traditions and give thanks for what they have been blessed with. There was a thread going around asking what if you only had today what you gave thanks for yesterday. A great thought to ponder, for we most likely have lost the realization of how much we take for granted. As I prayed this morning I tried to take that thought to God; to form a list. I wonder what tomorrow would reveal I had forgotten? The greatest gift I could ever receive is all wrapped into the story of the Gospel; the gift of God’s grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor, receiving what we do not deserve. Mercy is the grace covered forgiveness of not receiving what we do deserve. All wrapped up in John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Luke 6:27-38 speaks much about our ability to extend mercy; to do good in the path of evil. Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Today’s society has brought a high level of selfishness; of putting oneself at the top of the list, and the plunder of one’s wake of destruction is not one’s problem. These ideals make extending mercy difficult to those hurt by those wakes. But it is our calling as Christians to be selfless; to not seek retaliation or gain, but to bless those who hurt us. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Christ continues to tell them of how the same measure that we forgive, is how we are forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Not only God’s mercy, but God’s grace is woven throughout the whole Bible. He continued to provide for the rebellious people of the Old Testament, pointing them back to Him in signs and wonders of their generations. He gave them great prophets to attest to these signs. He gave them every reason to know that He was God; to know that He was in control. He then culminated His plan of grace with the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. He delivered Christ to die the sacrificial death required to bring us to paradise with Him for eternity. There is no greater act of grace than Christ alone. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. That realization should bring your Thanksgiving to a new level of appreciation for the grace you have been given by God.
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