Week 2 | Day 1 | We All Got It Coming Kid

Command:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Matthew 3:38-39 (NIV)

Read:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

Reflect:

There’s a scene in a movie where Clint Eastwood is talking to a young boy who is remorseful because he had just shot and killed someone. The boy remarks, “Well, I guess he had it coming.” To which Clint Eastwood replies, “We all got it coming kid.” When I saw that scene, I thought, man, that’s the truth! We all have it coming and we all are in deep need of mercy.

So much of life is about justice versus mercy. I have found that when other people are in the wrong, I’m very much in favor of justice. But when I am in the wrong, I’m a big fan of mercy. So, I thought it might be a good idea to take Jesus’ words to heart. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) 

Giving mercy to people who deserve judgment aligns me with the heart of Christ and reminds me of his mercy to me. I do not have to live in fear of judgment. Because God is merciful to me, I can confidently surrender my life to his Lordship. As Paul writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 (NIV) The logical response to God’s mercy towards me, is to be his conduit of mercy to another who is as guilty and vulnerable as I am. Because we all got it coming.

React:

Resist the inclination for revenge. Be as merciful to the offender as Christ is merciful to you.

Pray:

Have mercy upon me, according to your loving kindness. And may I be as merciful as you.