"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Mercy - compassionate forbearance toward an offender or enemy.
Merciful - showing compassion
Ick !!! Blahhhhh !!! Pooey !!!! Yeesssssch !!! Get outta here !!!! NO WAY !!!! I ain't showing no mercy to nobody whose done what they've done to me. You're outta your ever-lovin' mind !!!!!! You're crazy, man !!!!!! They deserve everything they get, and more !! Show them compassion........you've lost what little mind you've had left !!!
Sound familiar? I'll bet it does. We've heard that and similar stuff from many, many Christian people, and it's probably passed our own lips once or twice also. Oh my ..... . . . . .. . . . . . . . Where, oh where would we be if Jesus said that to His Father about us?????? Oh my, indeed. I know I'd be in the pit of hell for sure!!!
Mercy is love in action. When Jesus commanded us to love those who do us wrong, He was saying "be merciful". Do not retaliate, do not gossip, do not bring offense. Be gentle and compassionate. Let the Fruit of the Spirit be evident in our lives. Allow good to overcome the evil. What is most distressing of all, is that the Scriptures are talking to the believers, not the non-believers. If non-believers see that Christians cannot be tolerant and loving of one another, what is there to draw them to Christ? If we cannot be merciful to other Christians, how can we ever be merciful to the non-believer?
Every last one of us has at one time or another has been terribly hurt by someone we love. Cut-to-the-bone hurt. The kind of hurt that makes one want to lash out and cause horrendous physical and emotional pain. Or just simply cut them out of our lives forever. Dead. THERE, SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT !! But sweet Jesus just looks at us with tears in His eyes and gently whispers to us "that's not My way, child. Extend to them the same mercy I've shown to you. I love you. Do you love me? Can you show it?"
Jesus never said walking with Him would be a piece of cake. But oh, the exquisite joy in the spirit when we are centered in His will. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. . . the joy of the Lord is my strength. . . nothing is impossible with God . . . all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Do you love me? Jesus asked Peter. And Jesus asks us the same question. . .do you love me?
"Sweet, sweet Jesus, thank you for loving me when I am unlovable. Thank you for being merciful to me when I am unmerciful. Where would I be without you? What would I be without you? Your love and mercy plucked me out of the miry clay and set my feet on the Solid Rock. Change my heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I want Your heart, Lord, not the heart of the world. Make me more like you. Amen."
For Further Study:
1 John 5:1-5
1 Timothy 1:12-14
2 Samuel 24:14
Micah 6:8
Matthet 18:33
James 2:13
Jude 1:22-24
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