Paul spends time in Romans 12 explaining, God gives us gifts of His choosing based on grace not merit.

Grace
Not
Merit

The Apostle Paul goes on to say, “let us use them” (Rom 12:6) and goes on to describe various gifts (prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership and mercy).

He further encourages about how we should use them , “he who gives with liberality, he who leads with diligence, he who shows mercy with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:8)

And I think that’s the first time I’ve noticed the “mercy with cheerfulness” part and my heart needs to pause in this instruction—

I’ve shown mercy to others when they did not deserve it, but I would not characterize my heart as cheerfully doing so very often. In fact, I’ve kind of silently patted myself on the back and thought myself pretty martyr-like sometimes. 😳

So ugh. Ouch. Amen.

May God help me to show mercy with cheerfulness. May my heart be right with Him so I do nothing to get in the way of what He wants to do in and through me.

God’s Word is so good. No matter how many times I read it, I will never find all the treasure there. May we hear it and do it. May our hearts be free of pride and full of mercy WITH cheerfulness!

What a Savior!

readromans12

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