The GIFT of Mercy

mer·cy

ˈmərsē/

noun

1. 1.

   compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is 

   • 
     
2.      within one's power to punish or harm.
3.      "the boy was screaming and begging for mercy" 

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For most of my life I have had a flawed view of mercy. I am just now learning how I have blurred the lines of mercy and justice - of grace and consequence.

You see, when someone sins against me or anyone else, my first thought turns to WHY they did it. And if I can find a satisfactory reason for the poor behavior, I give them a "pass." I have thought this was being merciful, when in fact, it is not.

Mercy is something you grant to the guilty. You choose not to treat them in the manner they deserve. First and foremost, mercy acknowledges guilt and accepts that there should be consequences. I have failed miserably in this. I almost always excuse the transgressor. I fail to acknowledge that a consequence is in order.

I have not been merciful...I have been stupid, and I have allowed both loved ones and enemies alike to continue to behave poorly because I just can't bring myself to call their sin what it really is. I think this is largely because I fear being angry...I fear the resulting conflict if I acknowledge that a sin has occurred. But in reality, I cannot grant mercy to the innocent. Mercy is my gift when I first say, yes, that is wrong, but I choose to hold you harmless.

Another thing mercy is not - it is not standing in the way of deserved natural consequences, preventing those very consequences from reaching the guilty party. Mercy chooses not to require payment or demand restitution for the harm done.

Instead, I have often acted as a detour, a safety net, accepting or deflecting natural consequences which are useful in correcting repeated wrongdoing. In doing so, I have taken away from them the opportunity for personal growth. That is not mercy - indeed, it is cruelty! For when the offender repeats the offense, unaware that his behavior is unacceptable, I expose them to possible greater judgement or harsher consequences. While I may intercede on their behalf for God to show mercy to them, I must to leave the final decision to Him rather than running interference. Love may, at some point, demand me to become a substitute, but generally that is not the case. It's simply a place I like to put myself in order to avoid conflict and over-protect those I love. 

I confess, Lord, for abusing Your natural order in teaching Your children. Help me to do justly, love [true] mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Please help me to view mercy as a gift to the guilty, not as an excuse for wrongdoing.