Why is it that we are slow to show mercy to others, but we are thankful for the mercy Jesus shows us every day? Why is it so hard to extend mercy but expect it when we are on the receiving end? God’s mercy is available for everyone. We all need that same mercy from each other and for each other. If mercy were a picture, it would be Jesus Christ. Why is it so hard for believers to represent and duplicate Him when it comes to showing mercy? Have mercy please!
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36)
“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:49)
The dictionary defines mercy as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. The biblical definition of mercy also relates to forgiveness and withholding punishment. But the Bible goes beyond that. God shows His mercy for those who are suffering and by caring about those in distress. God acts from compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. Even when the Israelites turned their backs on God and worshipped false idols, when they finally returned to Him, crying for help, God showed mercy. He didn’t destroy them but provided and cared for them. When someone uses, abuses, or hurts us, it is easy to say they don’t deserve our kindness, compassion, forgiveness, or our help in time of trouble. The enemy will be quick to remind us that they hurt us, that they should not have been hardheaded, that they are not grateful, or that they should not have taken us for granted. Well God can say those same things about us, but He still shows us mercy. And He does not show us mercy because we deserve it. It is because of His love for us. How can we say we love our brothers and sisters and not show mercy? We can all agree it is difficult to be merciful to someone who has hurt or harmed us or someone we love. It can be done, we just cannot do it on our own. We need the Holy Spirit. We can start by allowing Him to guide us. We must practice spiritual discipline by studying the scriptures, prayer, and spending time in His presence. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to walk in the image of Jesus. Only then will we be able to be led by our spirit man and not our flesh. Only then will we be able to show mercy even if we feel it’s not deserved.
“For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.” (Isaiah 14:1-2)
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:36-37)
“But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away.” (John 16:7)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
God’s Word says in Ephesians 4:31-32 that we should be kind and merciful, forgiving others as God forgave us because of Christ. Although there is little mercy in today’s society, as disciples of Christ, He instructs us to show mercy by giving people what they need, not what they deserve. Have. Mercy. Please! Love and Blessings…
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgive each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
EMMANUEL 