We are neither more merciful than God nor are we more righteous than God. Oftentimes, whether we mean to or not, we may catch ourselves trying to be in God’s seat and take the role of judge. However, the call to grace and compassion ought to compel us to show God’s mercy.
His Eyes Examine the Wicked and the Righteous
We read in Psalm 11:4-7 , “He observes everyone on earth; His eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, He hates with a passion. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; the upright will see his face.”
Maybe our first thoughts are, “Yes, Lord, bring that upon all those abortionists and on those politicians who are behind it all. Look, God, just how wicked they are!”
Or we are like the Prophet Ezekiel who saw the call to grace and compassion, calling out to God, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in the outpouring of your wrath?”
God responds, “The sin of the people… is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice… so I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but will bring down on their own heads what they have done.” (Ezekiel 9:9-10)
A God of Justice and Mercy
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18)
God is the only one who can show mercy and still be just. Why? Because His justice demands there to be mercy. God’s just character does not allow any sin to abide. It permits no wrongdoing or mistake.
So because He knows we can not keep His laws and meet His expectation of living godly and holy lives, He knew He had to make a way for us. The call to grace and compassion demanded an answer. The only way He could receive us and be able to be in His presence is through His son Jesus: the perfect lamb that could take our punishment, that we deserve, and make us white as snow.
God Demands Mercy
So then, let us be gracious and compassionate to all those who have participated in or contributed in any way to abortion. Let us not be the judge and take the seat of being more righteous than they or take the stance to be more merciful than God.
Let us simply be the hands and feet of Christ, and allow God to speak to them through our peaceful and prayerful witness.
Devotional for Day 11
Intention: Pray that when those representing abortion providers see Coalition for Life prayer volunteers, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.
Scripture: I…beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:1b-2
Reflection: When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, “It was unconditional love,” shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked. He told Carol that “God had sent him” because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ’s ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to “get out” of their bondage and sin. What a high calling it is — much higher than any presidential appointment to another country. In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings:
- God has chosen us (John 15:16)
- We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
- Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
- We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
- Know our purpose — to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
- We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:1920)
- Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
- Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us to those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.
