Read Matthew 5:7
You Don’t Deserve Mercy!
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
The Greek word for mercy is ” eleemon,” which also means being actively compassionate or giving. This type of Mercy is done with great thought and action. What is it that we put great thought and action into? Usually it’s something very important to us. For me, I put great thought and action in relationships. Also in hunting. I love the strategy behind it. And my faith. But how often do I, or we, put a lot of thought and action into showing mercy? How important is that to us? Mercy often is something we show someone who has failed or is struggling in an area of their life. Typically, I feel people want to be shown Mercy but are less apt to show mercy. We are more quick to criticize someone for their imperfections, needs, or sin, than we are to show Mercy. James 2:13 says if we don’t show Mercy to others, God will not show Mercy to us on judgment day. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
We want to be shown Mercy when we are struggling or failing. Then we should do it for others.
Here are two benefits of showing Mercy:
1. It can help lead one to REPENTANCE of sin. People are more apt to listen to criticism and encouragement when bathed in MERCY than they are when it is bathed in CONDEMNATION.
2. It gives people HOPE. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of hopelessness. Showing Mercy to a person in time of need, when they feel there’s no hope, is what brings back life, hope and the will to live.
Let’s put some thought and action today in showing mercy and compassion to others.
