Information Related to "Mercy"
| Audio/Video |
Mercy By David Myers Mercy is not a word commonly used today and most do not understand it. But mercy is a word that should characterize a Christian and reflect the virtues of God and Jesus Christ.
he definition of the word "mercy" can refer both to compassionate behavior on the part of those in power (for example, mercy shown by a judge toward a convict) or on the part of a humanitarian third party (such as a mission of mercy aiming to treat war victims). Mercy is a term used to describe the leniency or compassion shown to one person by another, or a request from one person to another to be shown such leniency or compassion. Mercy is compassion or relief given to an undeserving recipient. One of the basic virtues of chivalry and Christian ethics, mercy is also related to concepts of justice and morality in behavior between people (Wikipedia online encyclopedia.). Although the word is defined in our dictionaries, it is rarely practiced or understood. What does "mercy" mean? Most people only use this word with the word "no" in front of it. No mercy! Go for the jugular, show no mercy to them, etc. It is a challenge to understand mercy, but that is what we need to do. God's example of mercy
He resurrects dust, sinful dust. It says no breath was in them, but God gave them spiritual air. Verse 9 says, "Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus said the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live" (KJV).
Merciful people will be taken advantage of, but merciful people know this fact and will allow it to happen anyway, knowing God will deal with the offenders in His time. So, to whom do you extend mercy? To everyone. A few truisms of mercy Mercy anticipates our response of repentance We extend it, hoping to generate repentance, but mercy doesn't wait for repentance. While we are still sinners, God has mercy on us. Mercy comes first. Recipients of mercy may not even know it has been extended to them. When you are cut off in traffic and do nothing, when you give no annoyed response, you are showing mercy. After leaving Egypt, the children of Israel continued to complain and carry on, giving no regard to their God. Yet God extended His mercy to them and does the same for us daily. We never know what act of mercy might inspire repentance in others. We want to stand up for our rights, but who knows what small act of mercy can change someone's heart?
The proper response to mercy is obedience. If we extend mercy to our children when they have shown disobedience, what do we gain? We gain not only their respect, but also the knowledge that through our mercy they learn the lesson of being merciful. For example: When our children tell us a lie and we ask them for the truth, when we receive it, do we fly off the handle and give them a harsh punishment? If so, they have just learned that there is no mercy in us. We will punish even when receiving a truthful answer.
In Proverbs 11:17-20 we read, "The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. The wicked man does deceitful work: but to him that sows righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. They that are of a fraudulent heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight." God has given us a glimpse into His character. In Matthew 9:13 we see, "But go you and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.'" He wants us to have mercy and He is the one who has taught us how to use it. From a sermon by David Myers, summarized by Lorelei Nettles. Copyright 2008 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
|||||||||||||||
Related Information:
Other Articles by David Myers
Origin of article "Mercy"
Keywords: mercy
Mercy: