Jesus purchased for us not just a merciful reprieve from the penalty of death, but an introduction into a life of grace beyond measure.

Jen Wilkin, “In His Image”

Forgiving lavishly does not mean that we continue to place ourselves in harm’s way. … By limiting [our abuser’s] opportunity to sin against us, we spare him further guilt before God. Mercy never requires submission to abuse, whether spiritual, verbal, emotional, or physical.

Jen Wilkin, “In His Image”

Mercy also means forgiving as we have been forgiven. In view of God’s mercy, we sacrifice our bitterness and grudge-bearing for the sake of extending forgiveness. We also sacrifice our legitimate hurts – the pain of unfair rejection or the sorrow of a wound unjustly received. We entrust them to God, remembering that Christ endured the same from us and for us, and to a much greater degree.

Jen Wilkin, “In His Image”