Romans 9:15
For as he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion
As I prepared to write this memo, I was reminded of one of my favorite characters on one of my favorite shows. On an episode of Martin, there is a character named Rev. Leon Lonnie Love, and Martin offended him with something he said. The Reverend’s response was a prayer that went something like this, “If he does anything else Lord, strike him down!” Now while this is a comedy and a fictional situation, how many of us have similar responses when we get upset or offended by someone’s words or actions?
Many of us take pleasure in knowing that we are God’s favorite, as if we have a monopoly on access to him that no one else does. Just because someone offends us or does something that could cause us discomfort does not mean that God will turn his back on them, and more towards us. He gives us grace and mercy, neither of which can be earned. It makes even more sense that the person who did the offensive act needs God and his mercy more than you do at that moment. The Lord also says in Matthew 5:44 to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” Notice how the word says YOUR enemies…to me that signifies that the people we think are our enemies may not necessarily be God’s enemies.
We can all exercise more grace and mercy when it comes to how we react when we are offended. Just as God extends grace and mercy to us, we should practice the same when it comes to others.
