“…he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:8 (KJV)
God, the Father, in His love and mercy for us, His creation, sent Jesus, His Only Begotten Son, to die for all who would believe in Him. He sent His Holy Spirit, The Paraclete, to supernaturally empower us for service here on earth and to prepare us for life everlasting with Him.
If we are to spend eternity with our God, we ought to love as He loved. We have to care as He cared, and we are bound by the law of love to show mercy as He showed (and shows). Jesus, in rebuking the Pharisees on the importance of mercy, said in Matthew 23:23 (KJV), “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
In other words, fulfil the law in terms of what is expected, but go the extra mile and do that which is not expected. The kindness and purity of motive that empowers one to consider others in their weaknesses and to love them enough to forgive real or perceived wrongs is the fulfillment of the law of God.
Beloved, while it is not easy to forgive the wrongs some people deliberately inflict on us, we are expected, as God’s children, to show mercy. We may be tempted to say God said He would have mercy on whom he would have mercy (Romans 9:14-16), so we can do the same. No beloved, God never gave us that kind of authority over others. We are simply called to demonstrate His love to our fellow man.
In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus highlights a few ways in which we can show mercy:
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Shelter the homeless
- Clothe the naked
- Visit the sick
- Minister to those in prison.
Practical demonstration of God’s mercy is the most fitting way of leading others to Christ.
Prayer
Almighty God, we acknowledge Your love and mercy in our lives. We know You love us and have mercy on us from everlasting to everlasting. Please help us to show that same love to others, especially those we find difficult. We bless and thank You in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Romans 12:9-10; 1 Peter 4:8-11
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 27:7-14; Mark 10:13-31; Leviticus 4; Leviticus 5:1-13
