HAVE I FORGOTTEN THE GREATNESS OF GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE?

MATTHEW 18:23-30: ”Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Have I forgotten the greatness of God’s mercy and grace? Am I daily drawing close to God and being transformed by His love? The story of the unforgiving servant calls me to search my heart and remember the transforming power of God’s great mercy and grace.

When I came to Christ I was overwhelmed with the mercy and grace of God. My heart was filled with the overflowing power of His love. This changed my opinion of and attitude toward others. Realizing my great sin and the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice, I was humbled and began to look at others through Jesus’ eyes.

In the infancy of my newfound faith, my heart was not filled with indifference or judgment. Rather, it was filled with compassion and an overwhelming desire to share God’s mercy and grace with others. 

How could I judge another when I had been forgiven so much?

Fast forward a few decades from this momentous discovery in my life and I am afraid, like the unforgiving servant, I have at times forgotten the depth of His mercy and grace. I acknowledge it academically but I do not show this understanding in my daily attitudes and practice.

Rather than being motivated to show compassion and love to the lost I find myself mentally sizing others up and thinking – “No wonder you are in this mess!” These are not thoughts flowing out of an understanding of God’s great mercy and grace. 

They are thoughts of judgment and indifference.

They are the thoughts and attitudes of the one who threw his friend into jail after he was forgiven so much more!

How can I address these attitudes in my life? I cannot repeat the event that changed my life decades ago. However, I can draw near to the One who changed my life and desires to keep changing it. I can humble myself, acknowledge my attitudes, and draw near to the Lord. James writes,

• “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (Jas 4:7-10 NKJV)

As I draw near to God and His Word, in humility, worship, and prayer – I am transformed in His presence. I rediscover the greatness of His mercy and grace. I acknowledge that my righteousness is only found in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It reminds me that I have done nothing to deserve His great love. 

Mercy and grace begin to once again transform my heart and my attitude toward others changes.

Instead of indifference and disdain, I discover mercy and compassion. Instead of apathy and selfishness, I discover a new fervor of faith and the desire to serve others. I am transformed in the mind of Jesus Christ. I realize as I look at the lost and the broken, that –

“There but by the grace of God, go I!”

Paul reminds us of God’s transforming love in our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord.

• “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Co 6:9-11 NKJV)

“And such were some of you…” Such, was I – except for His great mercy and grace!

Lord, I do not want to be like the unforgiving servant. Keep my heart tender toward You and others. Draw me to Your heart. Remind me of Your great mercy and grace. Empower me to love and serve others and have compassion on the lost praying for every heart and soul to meet Jesus and discover His great love!

In Jesus’ Name!