Devotion #4: Thanking God for His Grace

Lesson Four: The Golden Rule
Devotion #4: Thanking God for His Grace
Elijah Edwards

Growing up as the oldest of three siblings created many moments of friction and “getting even.” There were countless times when we would mess with each other or push each other’s buttons. This constant tormenting would create even worse situations where if one of us was wronged by the other, no matter if it was an accident or not, we would get our revenge somehow. Yet, looking back, there were times when I could have and should have been much more merciful to them. There were moments in my life when I wished that other people were more merciful and gracious to me for my mistakes.

What are some examples of when you were not merciful to someone? When was there a time you wished someone was merciful to you?

In Matthew 7:12, we read, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Jesus is telling us how to treat people. It is not just your friends, family, or fellow believers in Christ. It is all people. Jesus tells us that whatever we want to be done for ourselves, we must do for others. No matter the wrong they have done to you or the evil they have committed against you, you must treat them the way you would have or wish they had treated you. The command includes showing them mercy and having grace upon them for what they have done.

Those in Jesus’ time found this pretty profound. To tell someone that they need to show love to someone who has done evil to them sounds insane. What makes following this rule so difficult? Do you like this rule in principle but not in practice?

The reality is that this rule has already been used on us. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Each of us has sinned, and that sin deserves death. We deserved that punishment, yet Jesus took it for us. Jesus, on the cross, took that punishment and had mercy on us all. Know that we are called to show that same love and mercy to others.