THE MYSTERY OF MERCY AND FORGIVENESS.

THE MYSTERY OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY Text: Luke 18:9–14
BY M TOMMY 
Forgiveness and mercy are two of the greatest expressions of God's love toward humanity. Through them, God demonstrates His compassion and His desire to restore fallen mankind to fellowship with Himself.
From the beginning, God's heart has always been to save rather than to condemn. His mercy is extended to all people, regardless of their background, tribe, or religion, inviting everyone to come to Him through Jesus Christ. If God did not desire to forgive, there would be no opportunity for salvation.
Sometimes the greatest barrier to receiving God's grace is not God, but the way we judge ourselves. Feelings of guilt, shame, and condemnation often keep people away from the very One who is ready to forgive and restore them. Never mistake God's mercy for something earned by your own righteousness. Everything we receive from Him is by His grace.
Where there is no forgiveness, there can be no true restoration or lasting reconciliation. Forgiveness heals broken relationships and restores fellowship with God.
Although mercy and forgiveness work together, they are distinct.
Mercy means not receiving the punishment we deserve because God, in His compassion, withholds judgment.  Forgiveness means receiving God's pardon, having our sins removed, and being restored to a right relationship with Him. Through forgiveness, we receive what we could never earn on our own.
Mercy gives us the opportunity to return to God, while forgiveness restores us when we come to Him with a repentant heart.
The Example: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector - Luke 18:9–14Jesus told the story of two men who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee trusted in his own righteousness, but the tax collector humbled himself and said, _“God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”_ Because of his humility, he went home justified before God.
This teaches us that mercy is received by the humble, not by the proud.  God's mercy opens the door to justification, while His forgiveness restores fellowship with Him.
God's Plan and Our ResponseIf there had been no possibility of sin, there would have been no need for God's plan of redemption. Yet because mankind fell, God provided a way back through His mercy and forgiveness.
Never allow guilt to stop you from coming to God. The enemy wants you to believe that your failures have disqualified you, but God's invitation is always, “Come back to Me.”
Consider the examples in Scripture:  - Samson lost his strength because of disobedience, yet when he cried out to God, the Lord answered him one final time and fulfilled His purpose through his life.   - Ahab humbled himself after God's warning, and God showed him mercy by delaying the announced judgment.  
These examples remind us that God is both merciful and just.
If God has ordained you for a purpose, His calling remains. Your failures do not erase His ability to restore you when you sincerely repent and return to Him.
Mercy sustains us, and forgiveness restores us. Therefore, no matter what you have done, always look up to God like the tax collector and cry out for His mercy. He is a loving Father who delights in welcoming His children back into His presence.
God loves us deeply. His desire is not that we remain in guilt and condemnation, but that we run back to Him with humble and repentant hearts. His mercy gives us justification, and His forgiveness gives us restoration.
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