"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you."
Ephesians 4: 32
Book of Proverbs is filled with comparisons
using
like or as. For example, “Like a city whose walls are
broken through is a person who lacks self-control”
(Proverbs 25:28, NIV).
Lack of self-control is compared to a city with broken-
down walls. Instead
of saying, “Practice self-control,”
the image of the city illustrates the danger of the lack
of self-control.
Apostle Paul used a simile to illustrate how we are to
show mercy: We are to forgive others “even as” God
has forgiven us through Christ. God’s forgiveness of
us is an example of His mercy. We were deserving of
judgment for our sins, but God withheld our judgment
and judged Christ instead by His death on the Cross.
Mercy withholds judgment, punishment, retaliation
even when it is deserved. To show mercy is also to
forgive. We are to forgive others the way God has
forgiven us in Christ.
The next time someone hurts or offends you,
consider the mercy God has shown you and
extend that same mercy and forgiveness.
"No one is redeemed except
through unmerited
mercy."
Augustine
