Keep being compassionate to those who still have doubts, and snatch others out of the fire to save them. Be merciful over and over to them, but always couple your mercy with the fear of God. Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh. Jude 22-23 TPT

How many of you remember show and tell? For those who don’t, it was a time when each student was given the opportunity to show something and tell about it in class. It could be a new puppy, a family heirloom, somewhere you visited over the summer. It was a way to see a part of someone you hadn’t known, to share a little personal knowledge.

I’m reminded once again that as followers of Christ Jesus, our primary goal is to also show and tell. We are to show others the love of God and use words to share the gift of salvation and what it means to experience fellowship with God. Those with doubts need convincing and those approaching the fire need rescuing.

Let us not forget mercy. I feel this word has become loosely defined of late so I’m going to include the definition from the dictionary: compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence. A good reminder, don’t you think?

It’s not the mercy the world gives, “Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on me!” It’s habitually and repeatedly given just as God has shown to us habitually and repeatedly. Knowing that Father is looking on, watching how you display His love on the earth. How will they know unless we show them?

And in the process of being light to the world, let us keep our lamps trimmed, our globes cleaned so the light of the gospel will shine brightly. Don’t allow the things others say and do cloud your view of what is right and wrong. As Jude said, “Be extremely careful to keep yourselves free from the pollutions of the flesh.”

Father, I ask that You help me to be merciful to others as You have shown me such great mercy. Keep me from becoming irritated at what others do or say. I’m pretty sure you understand what that’s all about! I’m so thankful that Jesus stands making intercession for me each and everyday. It’s He who made me right and I stand in awe of His sacrifice. Love You Lord! Amen