I recently read a book where the author made use of the sense of smell. She talked about soap being named after the fruits of the spirit. The soap for joy smelled like lemon and verbena and some floral hint. The soap for peace smelled like lavender, a little vanilla and a hint of almond. The soap for kindness smells like baking, vanilla, hint of butter and cinnamon. The soap for love smells like rosy chocolate. Each soap comes with a bible verse in the wrapping that is about joy, peace, kindness or love.
But during the book the need for another soap becomes apparent. The need for mercy is great in all of our lives. In the book she tries to make a mercy scented soap. She ends up with only two bars. Mercy is precious.
It was hard to get the scent right and be masculine. Mercy is not girly. It is hard. Cinnamon and spicy orange was what she was going for. Instead she got something ugly orangey in color and not particularly attractive. Why is mercy so unattractive?
Because something in our self-righteous beings can’t stand the thought that they (those who have done wrong) will not get what they deserve. They will not be punished or have to accept the consequences of their actions.
It is because we are not God who is capable of forgiving others. We are not capable of extending mercy to them when they hurt us. Without God’s mercy working in and through us we could forgive no one.
This mercy of God is greater than we are. We humbly bow and accept the mercy He bestows on us. How much more do we need to humbly accept the mercy He bestows on others and offer them the love, mercy and grace of God from our hearts? Lord we offer this from our hearts only as you make us able.
I’ve personalized this verse from the Message:
1 Timothy 1:15-19 Here is a word I can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Paul was proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now God shows him off—evidence of God’s endless patience—to us who are right on the edge of trusting him forever.
Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time – One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes!
Paul has passed this work on to me. The prophetic word that was directed to me prepared me for this. All those prayers are coming together now so I will do this well, fearless in my struggle, keeping a firm grip on my faith and on myself. After all, this is a fight I’m in.
