Mighty Mercyنموونە

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES?

Day six of a seven-day devotional may seem a bit late to start with definitions, but this one will help us today. The dictionary describes mercy as “compassion or forgiveness towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm”. Wow! Does it mean that there should never be any punishment or consequences for sin? No.

God’s position on sin did not change when Jesus died on the cross. The punishment for sin is death, it will never change. “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12, NLT). Death is a guaranteed consequence of sin. But by God’s mercy we will not bear that consequence, we have eternal life in Christ. “So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 21).

Life and death are at the center of mercy. The whole purpose of Christ’s merciful act of salvation was to bring life instead of death. “And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News” (2 Timothy 1:10, NLT). And that is the secret to showing mercy.

Whenever we face the difficult task of discerning between mercy and punishment, we should measure the necessary consequences against life or death. Which outcome will bring life to a deadly situation? How can our actions spare people more death? By death, I mean any outcome that robs people from living in the richness of God’s love. Treating broken people in a way that leaves them even more broken does not lead to life. Even though it may sometimes mean a form of punishment. As long as life through Christ is at the heart of every consequence. “Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You restore my health and allow me to live!” (Isaiah 38:16, NLT). God’s mercy can still be seen in punishment. It is to meant to save lives!

Do you think it is possible for compassion and justice to prevail simultaneously? How does the idea of bringing life to an unjust situation change your view of necessary consequences?

Let us bring life to the world around us by showing mercy. Let us always focus on rescuing others from death by sharing the mercy we receive through Jesus Christ. “My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins” (James 5:19-20, NLT).