Wow, I had no idea I would start such a firestorm!
The way I interpreted the first sentence of the post I quoted way back on page one of this thread struck me as very odd. It seemed to me that Meyer was saying that we will get mercy in the same proportion as we give mercy. Like we can't get mercy unless we give mercy. That to me is very backward. After all, it was God FIRST who was merciful to me. And I would never be able to show mercy myself if not for His Holy Spirit indwelling me. And, finally, I don't show mercy TO others so that I will receive mercy FROM others. Being merciful is an act of love -- the kind of love that comes from God alone. And it is not to be used as some kind of bargaining chip in order for me to receive mercy from others.
So that is my elaboration on her quote. Sorry this thread got so out of hand. I feel particularly sorry for Angela who I respect a great deal and has been treated very poorly IMHO.
The way I interpreted the first sentence of the post I quoted way back on page one of this thread struck me as very odd. It seemed to me that Meyer was saying that we will get mercy in the same proportion as we give mercy. Like we can't get mercy unless we give mercy. That to me is very backward. After all, it was God FIRST who was merciful to me. And I would never be able to show mercy myself if not for His Holy Spirit indwelling me. And, finally, I don't show mercy TO others so that I will receive mercy FROM others. Being merciful is an act of love -- the kind of love that comes from God alone. And it is not to be used as some kind of bargaining chip in order for me to receive mercy from others.
So that is my elaboration on her quote. Sorry this thread got so out of hand. I feel particularly sorry for Angela who I respect a great deal and has been treated very poorly IMHO.