Several scriptures coursed through my mind over the past few weeks that I had to write down--the idea of desiring mercy and growth for other believers.
Then I came across this passage in James on my phone:
In what way is wisdom connected with mercy? Who is the intended audience here? Believers. Keep going to chapter 4 -- where does all the fighting among you come from? The evil passions at war in us. The old man.
This passage helps point the proverbial four fingers back at me when I am wronged or see another believer walking in disobedience. That can be discouraging. But wisdom defaults to mercy. Is that person saved? Is the Holy Spirit at work in his or her life? If so, I can reasonably expect God's mercy and sanctification in his or her life. The Christian's last post on social media may have been prudish, rude, arrogant, insensitive, pick your negative descriptor. But wisdom is prone to mercy.
I find myself needing to be careful that I don't permanently slander someone in my mind, because that's not what God does to me, and I shouldn't think that about His other children. We can expect believers to get out of line (1 John 1:8), but God loves them and wants to show continuous mercy -- like He does to me. Every day. That brother or sister may need to be confronted, but we dare not assign permanent negative labels to those bought by the blood of the Lamb.
The wisdom from above is full of mercy and good fruits. I hope this will help you before going into any kind of a "permanent quarrel/stamp of disapproval" mindset. Our great God is all-wise, merciful, and at work.
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