When must we NOT show mercy?
This is the first, but surely not the last, you will read
about my gardening experiences. I find so many illustrations about the
Christian life when I am tending my garden. Maybe that’s why it all began in a
garden.
The truth is: I have a love/hate relationship with my
garden. Oh, how I love the blooms, the fragrance, the sheer beauty that shows
its face each spring. Oh, how I hate the seemingly endless care that it
requires. And to be honest, I’m not the most gifted gardener. But, I try.
Today, I was attacking an overgrown hydrangea with the
pruning shears. Perhaps “attacking” is too strong a word, but I think the
hydrangea would disagree. From the plant’s point of view, I seemed just vicious,
showing no mercy. But in fact, I was saving its life. There were shoots of dead
wood, and if left intact, they would have a negative impact on the rest of the
plant, as well as the other plants in the garden, especially the peony next
door.
At times, I feared I was too aggressive, but I’ve had this
hydrangea a long time. We’ve been through this before, and from past
experience, I know that this seemingly harsh treatment is very beneficial. My
hydrangea rewards me every summer with a bounty of blooms because with the
life-sucking shoots gone, its energy can be directed toward new life.
As Christians, we are instructed to show mercy. Jesus says “God blesses those who are merciful, for they
will be shown mercy.” (Matt. 5:7). Mercy is the very hallmark of the
Christian. But there are times when what appears to be mercy isn’t.
When a
friend or loved one is engaged in dangerous behavior, they need boundaries and
consequences, not an enabler. When sin is crouching at our door, it needs a
swift kick right out that door. When envy or bitterness or resentment start
slithering under our skin, we need to uproot and destroy it. Just a few verses
after Jesus teaches about mercy, He says,
“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” (Matt. 5:39)
Ouch, well, that doesn’t seem too merciful to the eye, does it? No, but
sin is like gangrene. It may start small, but unless it is amputated and
removed, it will spread causing death and destruction.
So the truly merciful thing to do is nip it in the bud, just
like my hydrangea.
4 comments:
Hi Susan -
What a great analogy! People accept things in the name of mercy and love that will ultimately do harm.
I can relate to the love/hate relationship with gardening. For me, it's the bending, stretching, and kneeling that present a challenge.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan,
Gardening is getting tougher for me with my knee problems. I see the weeds but don't have the ability to kneel any more. Gotta hire a merciless gardener!
Susan
Susan, you are so right! As I go about my garden pruning, I always think of John 15:2, silently telling the plant, "I'm only cutting you back for your own good," and then I remind myself not to whine when God does the same thing to me!
Very good post thanks!!! Love, Traci
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