I Desire Mercy, not Sacrifice

But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Matthew 9:13 

When you need to forgive someone, what does God want from you, mercy or sacrifice? Do you sacrifice to forgive others? Do you let go of an offense and sacrifice your desire for justice? Is this what God wants from you? Or does God want you to forgive because you have mercy and have given them mercy. Sacrifice can be a denial of your desires, while mercy gives love. One can be done without love, while the other is based in love. One can be done out of obedience alone, while the other can be done with obedience rooted in love.

When you desire forgiveness from others, which one do you want? Do you want to be forgiven sacrificially or out of merciful heart? Do you want someone to forgive out of obligation, or out of love?

When it comes to God, do you want His forgiveness coming from sacrifice? Do you desire forgiveness because He can’t break His word, or do you want God to forgive you because He loves you, because He has compassion and mercy? Then go and do as He has done for you, go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, not sacrifice.