A Short Plea for Mercy
"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." -Colossians 1: 16-17
It's easy to turn my attention to other people's brokenness. I am merciful concerning my shortcomings but less merciful and even upset with others for their wrongdoings. This is especially true when I view their sin as being against me. Does that ever seem true for you?
We often see other people's shortcomings more clearly than our own. This is true in marriage, friendship, and practically any relationship - even when we see people in the government, or social media. We judge people more harshly than we judge ourselves. How can we, instead, give as much mercy as we hope to receive?
The simple answer is found in the Book of Colossians. In it, we read that God is the one who holds ALL THINGS together. God alone. We are all weak and broken vessels, held together by the grace of God. Colossians says we're held together by him, and in him, we find our purpose, qualified by his grace and love. Broken but empowered to love other broken people, I think. But, unfortunately, the devil wants to remind us of our brokenness, hoping we'll become discouraged and self-absorbed by our condition. And it's this obsession with our brokenness that causes us to measure ourselves against the brokenness of others, eventually leading us to determine that they are either better or worse off than ourselves.
Remembering that we are held together only by God's grace will help us avoid being less merciful toward others. While we can and should acknowledge sin, we must remember the gavel has yet to swing. There is still time. Thus there is still hope, and so there still must be mercy. If we can remember that Jesus is the one who holds all things together, including us, we will treat others with the same mercy that we hope to receive.
