Extend & Receive Mercy!
"For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Matthew 6: 14
It was John Calvin who said, “A happy life depends on
a good conscience.” And another unknown sage once
declared that a good conscience is like a “soft pillow”
the key to a peaceful night’s sleep.
It is no wonder that a good conscience is so highly
valued; “good conscience” appears six times in the
New Testament as something to be maintained.
One of the ways we maintain a good conscience is by settling
things quickly among ourselves and others. As long as matters
are unsettled—as long as we withhold mercy and forgiveness
toward others—things cannot be settled between us and God.
Regardless of who is at fault, whether ourselves or another,
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably
with all men” (Romans 12:18). When someone has something
against us or we have something against another, we must
settle the matter quickly (Matthew 5:23-26; 18:15).
When we extend mercy to others, God continues to extend
mercy to us. Are there matters to be settled between you
and another? Take steps to make things right today. Then
look forward to a “soft pillow” tonight.
"Peace of conscience is nothing
but the echo of pardoning mercy."
William Gurnall
