Abraham Lincoln said, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” Smugness pulls the trigger on misdeeds, but mercy allows us to forgive. Mercy does not excuse the offense, but it can restore relationships and strengthen justice by maturing the offender. It can mean withholding punishment. It can also mean providing comfort for those who are suffering. Mercy is an act of kindness and caring for those who are unable to care for themselves and for those who don’t deserve it. At its core is forgiveness and selflessness.
Some despise mercy, but without it we are all doomed. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:4-5). Mercy is not earned, and neither is our salvation. “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy” (Titus 3:5a). Because of His mercy, God offers salvation and desires to lift sinners out of their pitiful condition to a new and deeper relationship with the risen Savior. He loves the unlovely. He shows kindness and compassion to those who don’t deserve it, and His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 118:1).
A.W. Tozer said, “As judgment is God’s justice confronting moral inequity, so mercy is the goodness of God confronting human suffering and guilt.” As He went about healing people and casting out demons, Jesus demonstrated His mercy many times. He also showed mercy to those suffering mental and spiritual disorders. He even dealt mercy to His executioners: “But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing’ ” (Luke 23:34a).
We have a merciful God who is so removed from our guilt and shame that He can look at mankind with compassion and affection. Just as He extends mercy to us, we are to extend mercy to others: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Mercy is offering God’s love to humanity, even in its wretchedness. It is giving others what they need, not what they deserve. It is forgiving and showing others compassion and kindness when we have been wronged, not because it is easy, but because of God’s infinite mercies in our own lives.
Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3:22-23
Personal Application: John MacArthur, one of the most influential preachers in modern Christianity, challenges us: “If we have received unlimited mercy from our loving God, if we have been lifted from our poor, sinful, wretched state to become citizens of heaven, how can we withhold mercy from others?” Don’t let pride, judgmentalism, or selfishness get in the way of showing others mercy. Take a moment to consider God’s infinite mercies in your own life. Then ask yourself who you have shown mercy to lately. Who needs your mercy today?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5