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Do you ever look in the closet trying to decide what to wear? Usually, we think about the activities of the day, right? If working in the yard, we dress differently than going to a wedding or a ballgame. We also think about the weather. Will it be hot, comfortable or cold? Will it be windy, rainy, calm? And for some of us, we also have to ask, what’s clean, right? These questions help narrow down our choices. Sometimes we may still dither over one garment or another. But once the decision is made, we clothe ourselves.
Now, what about your inner self? If you are looking for a list of things with which to “clothe” your character, you should look at Colossians 3:12. It says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)
Did you notice the word compassion? That is the same concept as mercy. In the Beatitudes, Jesus promised mercy to the merciful. God also told us that he desires mercy more than sacrifice. Listen to Hosea 6:6, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Jesus used this verse to rebuke the Pharisees.
So, clothe your character with mercy. Use whatever power you have to help alleviate the problems of people, even if they don’t deserve it. That’s the mercy God shows to us.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.