Grace First

"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, 'The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished…'”
Exodus 34:6-7a 

How do you love someone deeply without enabling their destructive choices?

A judge sits behind her bench, ready to deliver the verdict. The defendant stands, knowing he's guilty. But before the gavel falls, the judge says this: "I see your crime, but let me first tell you about my mercy."

That is exactly what happens on Mount Sinai. God gives Moses 613 commandments that would shape Jewish life. But before He issues a "thou shalt not," God reveals His character. Notice the order: He describes Himself first as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. Only after this description does He mention the consequences of sin.

Why does this matter to you today? Because you and I live in a world that leads with judgment and adds mercy at the end, if at all. But God operates differently. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it’s God's kindness that leads to repentance, and that mercy triumphs over judgment.

You can see this divine order in the person of Jesus. He draws sinners like a magnet, never compromising truth but always leading with love. As His follower, you can represent God's character the way He revealed it to Moses, and lead with grace. 

The next time someone wrongs you, remember Mount Sinai. Grace is God’s character from the very beginning, so let compassion come first.

Prayer: Father, thank You for showing me grace before judgment. Help me extend the same mercy to others that You've shown me. Change my heart to love the way You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.