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The Thin Place

I’m #Blessed When I’m Merciful (Why Christians Should Be Known As The Mercy-Givers)

“Do you value justice over mercy?” 

This question has popped up in some form or another in every personality test I’ve taken. “Mercy or justice? Which one matters?” Like they are diametrically opposed.

And don’t we live like they are? Don’t we fight for which one matters, justice or mercy, at the polls every time election season comes our way. 

Valuing mercy stands apart like a political statement, instead of a Biblical one. But friends, we cannot sacrifice the mercy Christ has promised our soul out of fear of being too political. 

Blessed are the merciful. That’s it. There’s no qualifying clause declaring that we are blessed when we give mercy to those who deserve it or to those who have shown mercy. Because showing mercy isn’t about what the other person deserves, it is about showing what we want to be shown. 

Blessed are the merciful. There’s no qualifying clause saying that we are blessed when we give mercy to those who deserve it or to those who have shown mercy. Because showing mercy isn’t about what the other person deserves, it is… Click To Tweet

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 

I cannot read through this passage with the famous passage on justice, on judging others, running through my mind. 

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. – Matthew 7:2, ESV

We extend not what people have earned, and certainly not what they deserve, because we are a people who have been given abundantly more than we have ever merited. And then, we beg for even more still. 

We have the audacity to ask for abundance from God while shutting off the abundance of our hearts to those around us. But if we are a people marked by the mercy of God, we should be marked by that mercy flowing out of all that we do. 

We have the audacity to ask for abundance from God while shutting off the abundance of our hearts to those around us. But if we are a people marked by the mercy of God, we should be marked by that mercy flowing out of all that we… Click To Tweet

Others should know us, not because they always get what they deserve, but because they receive what they surely do not deserve when they cross our path. Love, justice, and mercy should all slow from what has been extended to us. Because that is the measure that we set for ourselves to be measured by. 

Do I want to be extended mercy or justice? 

That question provides a much easier answer. 

Because I know the depths of my heart. I know the secret sins I harbor and the sins are that readily visible to all who look at my heart. And if every sin was held against me, if I was held to justice for each and every one, I would crumble long before we reached the end of the list. 

So I keep going, I keep pressing towards holiness. But that holiness, that process of being conformed to the image of Jesus, should mean that I am becoming more and more merciful as Jesus was merciful. 

Jesus valued both, mercy and justice. He extended mercy to us and stood in our place, absorbing the wrath that justice demanded because of our sins. Justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross where the punishment due to us was poured out upon Jesus and, in turn, mercy was poured on us. 

As Christians, we should be marked as the people who realize justice and mercy are not diametrically opposed but people who see where they are united.

Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity

Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity Blessed Are The Merciful - Why Christians Should Take The Call To Mercy Seriously #Mercy #Blessed #Devotional #Christianliving #Christianity

We need to champion the broken, the downtrodden, and those blinded by the lure of sin. Because when we were lost in our sin, Christ said, “Blessed are the merciful” and showed us mercy. If our perfect King took up our cause, can we not take up the cause of those around us who were made in His image?

If we have been marked by the mercy of God, we should be the people who in turn mark with mercy.

So how are you known? Are you known by someone who gives those around them what they deserve or do you give mercy? When someone wrongs you, are you quick to let them know exactly what they need or do you lavish them with mercy?

Are you stingy with your mercy or do you lavish others with mercy beyond their due?

Because when we lavish others with mercy, when that is how we are known, Christ promises that the same mercy will be shown to us.

Jesus could have emphasized our need to be a just people, but that’s not what we want extended to us. We want mercy. So let us give in turn love our neighbor as ourselves by proving ourselves again and again to be a merciful people.

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The Comments

  • Diane@worthbeyondrubies
    August 2, 2018

    Excellent post!!! I always have to remind myself to make sure I am extending grace and mercy! Sometimes, especially in the current climate here in the US, it is easier said than done. But we have to be salt and light and with that comes mercy and grace!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Diane@worthbeyondrubies
      August 3, 2018

      It is easier said than done but so important that we believers show others what it means to be doers, not simply hearers, of the Word.

      Reply
  • Colleen Mitchell
    August 2, 2018

    I’m glad you included the passage on judgement. That’s something I don’t often remember, and should. It’s also something I think a lot of people don’t know about–or ignore because being “right” feels good, whereas being “merciful” feels “weak” to some.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Colleen Mitchell
      August 3, 2018

      It’s so important that we balance these two things as Christ did.

      Reply
  • Amanda
    August 2, 2018

    Thanks for reminding us of the important of mercy!! And I love how to connected it with justice, and that they don’t have to be opposing forces but rather connected, so true! I think we can all shine brighter lights if we bring mercy back into our lives 🙂

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Amanda
      August 3, 2018

      They are absolutely connected. I hope that we can realize this on a deep level.

      Reply
  • Kristin C
    August 3, 2018

    I definitely agree that justice and mercy are not at odds. We should be the mercy givers in our lives to show Christ to others.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Kristin C
      August 4, 2018

      Amen!

      Reply
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Hello, I’m Bailey
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Hello, I’m Bailey

The Thin Place was born out of a season of struggle. A season where I felt stretched thin and desperately longed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The goodness of God showed up in unexpected ways. During that season, the spiritual disciplines laid out in Scripture, the traditions of the Church, and the reminders of His faithfulness seen in liturgial living and the feasts and seasons of the Church calendar all opened my eyes to the hope we have in Christ.

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Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with!  It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah.
To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. 
It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials.
In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. 
The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. 
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
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Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with! It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah. To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials. In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
1 day ago
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Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. 
During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people.
It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. 
But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. 
“And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10
It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. 
#proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword  #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
thethinplace
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Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people. It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. “And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10 It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
2 days ago
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If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. 
Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books.
There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church.
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
thethinplace
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If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books. There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
3 days ago
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3/5
The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors.
While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. 
It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. 
For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” 
There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. 
Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. 
#bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
thethinplace
thethinplace
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The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors. While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. #bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
4 days ago
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4/5
Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained.
For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible.
But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible?
Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. 
Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine,  affirming some or all of these books as Scripture.
It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week!
#godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
thethinplace
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Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained. For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible. But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible? Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine, affirming some or all of these books as Scripture. It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week! #godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
5 days ago
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5/5
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