As you remember, Heavenly  wisdom as described in James 3:17 is

first of all pure,

then peace loving,

sweetly reasonable,

approachable and submissive.

Then comes being “full of mercy.”

Mercy  can be defined as “not giving someone what they deserve”. And it has a mirror image: Grace, which is “giving someone the opposite of what they deserve.”

These twin qualities are, of course, ones that the Lord lavishes us with every day. We are sinners, we only deserve eternal punishment, banishment to Hell, which is the absence of all good, the presence of all that is evil.

But, He does not give us what we deserve. Instead  He gives us the opposite: forgiveness, adoption in His family, making us members of His Kingdom, a place in His heart, and a future in Heaven. Mercy and grace are wonderful to live in.

Then there’s us: is that the way we interact with others? We can exhibit grace and mercy on the outside while being condemning, angry or critical in our thoughts. We need to remember that we must extend mercy in our thoughts, in our words and in our actions, just as God does with us. That’s being wise!

Picture: Mercy and Grace