Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2023: SOAP #4781: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them…
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
38  Give, and it will be given to you…

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is teaching us how to live lives pleasing to the Father.  It is worthy to note that Jesus was not teaching us what to expect from others, but what others should expect from us.  He is not telling us to expect mercy from others, but to be merciful to others.  We do not use these verses to get others to give to us, but to motivate us to give to others. 

God expects us to be merciful.  He clearly commands us to be merciful.  He expects us to be forgiving to the point that we should not expect to receive forgiveness if we do not forgive.  But not only does God expect to see mercy in our lives, He, Himself, gives the example we are to follow!  He sets a high standard for mercy!

APPLICATION: I am to be merciful “ … just as … ” my Heavenly Father is merciful.  The mercy I have received, I am to extend to others.  The more I understand the mercy I have received, the more I understand the mercy I am to show. 

Receiving mercy is a “feel good” matter.  It definitely makes me feel better knowing that God has forgiven me.  But it is also a “do good” matter.  I am to pass on what I have received.  The blood of Jesus that covers my sins against God can also cover the sins of others against me!

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you graciously accept the death of your Son as the payment for my sins.  May I learn to be merciful and accept that same death as the payment for those who sin against me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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