Raveled: Peace and Mercy

Mercy is God’s tenderhearted, loving compassion for his people in spite of what they have done. The Hebrew word for mercy, Racham – means “to love,” “to have compassion,” or “to show mercy.”

Peace is a sense of tranquility and rest, wholeness and well-being. It stems from the word Shalom which refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness in all aspects of life.

Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God. The peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.” ~ Matthew Henry

Peace WITH God
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peace FROM God
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Peace OF God
Philippians 4:5-7 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 7:36-50

Peace depends on mercy.

Raveled: Truth and Love

Truth – reality (the opposite of illusion). It’s not just what we think or believe to be true; it’s what actually is absolutely true.

Love – Agape is the kind of love God has shown to us that we’re supposed to express to others. It’s a benevolent, selfless, sacrificial (others-centered) love.

2 John 1:5-6

Mark 2:13-17

If you struggle to share truth:
Don’t leave out the truth.
Truth points us in the right direction.

If you struggle to show love:
Look for opportunities to show love.
Bank up as much love as you can, whenever you can.

The goal is to live out truth-filled love and love-filled truth.

Raveled: Grace and Truth

RAVEL can mean either “to untangle” and “to entangle”
Ravel also means “to undo the intricacies of something”

Grace – Undeserved kindness or unmerited favor. Grace is getting something good we don’t deserve.

Truth – reality (the opposite of illusion). It’s not just what we think or believe to be true; it’s what actually is absolutely true.

John 1:14, 16-17

Jesus embodied both grace and truth.

John 8:2-11

If you lean toward being a Truth Teller (Truth without Grace):
Remember grace comes first.
Don’t bury the lede.

If you lean toward being a Grace Givers (Grace without Truth):
Don’t leave out the truth.
Truth points us in the right direction.