If you are a Christian, you belong to a kingdom you did not design. Its design is from its King. The kingdom He brought places a lot of control and responsibility in your hands. Consider this promise:
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
Do you want to receive mercy from others? Be a merciful person — in words and actions. Show kindness and you will receive kindness.
This idea reappears in a later teaching: “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). Jesus even goes on to say that we can measure out the level of judgmentalism we want to receive, and use that same measure in our judging of others (7:2).
Who am I prone to find fault with today? Family members? Church leaders or workmates? Immigrants? Politicians? “Them”?
Am I willing to receive from God the same measure of criticism that I use toward them?
If that is not a comforting prospect, I had better choose a less critical attitude and intentionally have mercy.
