Mercy is NOT getting what we rightly deserve – punishment or judgment. Mercy is what judges show when they spare the offender from receiving the full penalty due.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s expectation for perfection. Even ONE little sin would disqualify us from “earning” the right to enter His kingdom. Each of us has sinned and been disqualified.
The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. When we sinned that very first time, we earned only death – a spiritual death, a permanent state of separation from God. We were condemned by our sin. But, it goes on to say that the gift of God is eternal life to those who will believe in Jesus Christ and repent of their sin.
By grace we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not earned or deserved, it is by His grace. Grace is getting what we DON’T deserve. It is receiving something not earned – unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor.
Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection paid the penalty that we owed. But, that gracious gift must be received. We must trust in Him as our Savior and place Him in the position of Lord of our life. His arrival on earth, the seed of the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, fulfilling over 300 prophecies and living a perfect sinless life unto His Father uniquely qualifies Him as the Son of God and provides us with a Messiah, a Savior. He is the scapegoat upon whom all sin was laid so that we who believe may receive the mercy of God.
Then, upon receiving God’s great grace and mercy, we are to show mercy to others.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV
Help all of us at Love Bears All, Inc. show mercy to those around us – please, support the work that we are doing in the community. We have not stopped serving others, just because there is a sickness that is going around, we are still called to do the work of God in our communities. We need your support as we step out in faith to serve.
Thank you,
Bear Deardorff, President/CEO
Love Bears All, Inc.