God's Love Extending Forgiveness and Mercy

Recently, my mother asked me to get Les Miserables (1998) from Netflix. I had never seen it but heard great things about it, and she wanted to see it again as it had been some time. My mom and I operate on completely different time schedules, but I left work early so that we could watch it together. I didn't really know what to expect only knowing a fraction of what the 2hr movie had in story.

I was blown away by the film, and let me tell you why...
I am blessed to have a Godly, Biblical world view and this movie was terribly

Let me give you a quick run down, for those who haven't had the pleasure of seeing the movie.
*Spoiler*
Jean Valjean, the main character, is as thief. He is given harbor by a religious leader when no one else would take him in. Jean honors this man by stealing his silver, striking him down and leaving! The next day, the authorities bring him back on suspicion of this very act. However, the father does something that Jean did not expect. He grants him forgiveness by telling the police that he in fact gave the sliver to Jean, and he had forgotten to take additional pieces. Valjean is convicted by his mercy and forgiveness and vows to become a changed man.

As the movie progresses, Jean moves from a humble worker to an even more humble wealthy mayor. The things he does for the commoners amidst their hate for him is astounding. The film continues on and on following suit as he is pursed again and again. Check out the film to get the whole story.

As I mentioned, this movie struck me on my spiritual level. One simple act of the father changed this man's life forever. The people that Jean's generosity, mercy and forgiveness touched started an exponential growth! The father passed, never knowing the influence that he had.

How then, are we -- am I to look as a follower, as a ambassador, as a child of God? Am I simply to extend God's love and forgiveness when I see it fit? Or did God not have mercy on us, when we turned our backs on Him time and time again?

Could a single act of kindness and mercy really have such a large impact?
I think God's word speaks best.

Luke 23 (NASB)
⁴⁴ By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. ⁴⁵ The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.

A single act is all it took to save us from eternal separation from God. When then do we help someone in hurting, or extend a bit of mercy to someone in need?

What does it look like to truly let the love of the Father guide what you are doing? How loving, merciful and forgiving could you be in rush-hour traffic, at work or even to your significant other? What does true love look like?

1 Corinthians 13 (NLT)
⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath is a lovely that talks about this kind of love. I love this song, because it reminds me of how blessed I am to have God's love and forgiveness.

I pray that I can show God's love through my actions, always choosing to extend God's mercy to others so that His glory shines through me.

Love is the way, the truth, the life.