“Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 2 (NKJV).

Three words which are related to Christianity, and living a life that magnifies the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Mercy” is what God gives those who are deserving of justice, and judgment. Mercy is what the world receives from its Creator each and every day. The world is reeling, and moaning in torment crying out for redemption (Romans 8:19-22). There are storms, from which are spawned tornadoes, straight winds of destruction. Earthquakes cause us to feel the tremors of this earth, and economics and health. God is merciful, and calls for the repentance of those who are against Him. Many refuse, but He still gives them a breath of air, a beat of the heart, one more step. That is mercy. As Christians we extend mercy as well, by calling for our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors to come to Christ by faith.

“Peace” is not necessarily the absence of conflict. Peace is mostly an attitude in one’s heart and mind. If one is not at peace with God, there will not be peace in one’s self. There will be conflict, torment, and war. Most of the reasons for marriage failures is due to a lack of peace within one or both individuals – the man or the woman, or both. Most of the time it is both. God desires to give peace to all people. However, when the rulers of nations plot to overthrow the throne of heaven, there will not be peace. Paul the apostle wrote, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1). Without faith there can be no peace in the heart of individuals or on earth.

“Love” is of God. The love spoken of here is a God-trait or character. It comes exclusively from Him. As John the apostle wrote, “God is love”. Someone added to this and said, “So, love is God”. That is complete heresy. The love God is, is unconditional. His love requires nothing from us. His love in us does however, change those who have received it. We have not only been changed, but we also want to express it, give it, and a like spirit is found among those who are likeminded in Christ Jesus. We tend to move toward one another. We are not told by the apostle that we will one day love one another, but that we “love each other” (1 John 3:13-15). It is in the present tense. And we will continue loving one another.

-Tim A. Blankenship