Thursday, January 31, 2013

A Fruitful Attribute

Some words simply sound beautiful......words like blessing, compassion and mercy. Webster defines mercy as a blessing that is an act of compassion. Within that one sentence, three words combine and define one another.

This cold, sad world would benefit from a large dose of these, don't you agree? How many tragedies might be avoided, how many lives spared, how many shattered relationships healed if mercy, blessing and compassion were extended.

Three words that are simply beautiful, but by no means simple. Sadly,this very cold, sad world is a world that is often found standing in opposition to the very things it desperately needs. We live in a self-absorbed culture with a heart-hardening attitude of "me first."

In his little letter, Jude's opening words to the church show us a better way...a way made possible because of God's grace and mercy.  Jude says "to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." (vss. 1&2)  Jude does not have a simplistic view of the world nor did he see it through rose-colored glasses.  Reading the rest of his letter shows us that he was very aware of the harshness of a rebellious world. Jude also knew, however, that a higher way was possible.  Look at the beauty of the words he uses to describe who and what we can be; called, loved, kept.  Those words make me feel warm, secure, embraced. I am offered abundant mercy, peace and love.....my response to this gift must be a willingness to extend the same to others. 


"On the whole, my impression is that mercy bears richer fruits than any other attribute." ~Abraham Lincoln ~

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