The foolish person wants what he deserves; the wise person knows better than to ask for it.

Mercy simply means not getting what you deserve. In a court of law, a judge can show mercy only to someone already declared guilty. Because we have violated God’s perfect standard, we have been declared guilty and there’s nothing we can do about it. We’re at the mercy of the Judge of heaven. God showed us His mercy by sending His Son to take the punishment we deserved.

God’s mercy to us is an example that we should follow by showing mercy to others. The next time you feel like retaliating at someone who has offended you, remember the mercy that God extended to you.

But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:16