There is more to mercy than forgiveness. It is a posture oriented toward true benevolence that comes from the heart. We have been offered mercy by God, and that mercy is transformative. Mercy moves us to see the world and our relationship with one another through a different lens, with condemnation division replaced with grace and abounding love. This transformation continues as we grow in our relationship with Christ until we are able to truly understand and give mercy in the way that Jesus taught us. The mercy of God overrides deserved punishment, not so that we might continue unchanged, but so that we might become more like our Creator.

As we seek to be more like Jesus, we must first seek to better know Jesus. In coming into the brokenness of this world, Jesus bears the reverberations of pain inflicted and responds with unconditional love. Mercy becomes an essential part of who we are as we embrace the mercy given by Jesus; when we act out of the compassion and care God has given us, rather than reacting out of anger or fear.

Mercy shows us the reflection of our own brokenness and challenges us to extend the same grace to others around us. It is the ability to connect to one another in humility and understanding, acknowledging that each of us carries the burdens that weigh us down in this world.

In his book Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson said, “We all share the condition of brokenness even if our brokenness is not equivalent.” When we embrace mercy, we are reminded that our brokenness should not be divisive, but is the very thing that interconnects us and brings us closer to the way things should be—just, good, and united. The actions of Jesus bring us back together, and when we recognize that everyone bears the image of God, we too must be merciful and humble.

In the words of Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Mercy isn't just something we should gratefully accept; it should also propel us to action. It serves as a constant reminder that suffering will not prevail in this world and that we too are participants in the goodness and justice of God by extension of the mercy we have received. When the world is plagued by division and violence, we must act against injustice. We must be merciful, and we must be humble in our walk with God toward the ultimate promise that all will be restored, "on earth as it is in heaven."

There is more to mercy than forgiveness. It is a posture oriented toward true benevolence that comes from the heart. We have been offered mercy by God, and that mercy is transformative. Mercy moves us to see the world and our relationship with one another through a different lens, with condemnation division replaced with grace and abounding love. This transformation continues as we grow in our relationship with Christ until we are able to truly understand and give mercy in the way that Jesus taught us. The mercy of God overrides deserved punishment, not so that we might continue unchanged, but so that we might become more like our Creator.

As we seek to be more like Jesus, we must first seek to better know Jesus. In coming into the brokenness of this world, Jesus bears the reverberations of pain inflicted and responds with unconditional love. Mercy becomes an essential part of who we are as we embrace the mercy given by Jesus; when we act out of the compassion and care God has given us, rather than reacting out of anger or fear.

Mercy shows us the reflection of our own brokenness and challenges us to extend the same grace to others around us. It is the ability to connect to one another in humility and understanding, acknowledging that each of us carries the burdens that weigh us down in this world.

In his book Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson said, “We all share the condition of brokenness even if our brokenness is not equivalent.” When we embrace mercy, we are reminded that our brokenness should not be divisive, but is the very thing that interconnects us and brings us closer to the way things should be—just, good, and united. The actions of Jesus bring us back together, and when we recognize that everyone bears the image of God, we too must be merciful and humble.

In the words of Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Mercy isn't just something we should gratefully accept; it should also propel us to action. It serves as a constant reminder that suffering will not prevail in this world and that we too are participants in the goodness and justice of God by extension of the mercy we have received. When the world is plagued by division and violence, we must act against injustice. We must be merciful, and we must be humble in our walk with God toward the ultimate promise that all will be restored, "on earth as it is in heaven."