All of the Above

by Francine Biere
Published February 23, 2006

"Blessed are the merciful …: Matthew 5:7, New American Standard Bible

Part 2

Click here to go to Part 1

There certainly have been many examples recently of people reaching out to others in the wake of hurricanes, mudslides, and earthquakes. It seems that in a crisis, we respond regardless of race, creed, nationality, or religious beliefs. Major humanitarian efforts are ongoing for hundreds of thousands affected by catastrophic devastation.

Yet, if we look at the biblical meaning of showing mercy, we find something that stretches beyond the normal human reaction to catastrophe.

As mentioned in Part 1, mercy is closely associated with the word grace. A simple definition is unmerited or undeserved favor. How do we show grace to others?

In our day-to-day lives and from a strictly human perspective, who doesn't deserve our favor – those who have hurt us, those who are guilty of crimes – murderers, rapists, and child molesters – or those whose twisted desires hurt others? The emotional response is all of the above.

It's easy for anyone to write or advise us to show mercy to the least deserving of humanity. Doing it is another story. Showing mercy with a loving heart and spirit to these kinds of people is humanly impossible.

That's where understanding God's mercy towards us becomes crucial. When we recognize that we don't deserve God's favor but He gives it to us anyway, we begin to comprehend the magnitude of this action. If there is a precursor to showing mercy, it probably is forgiveness. If we forgive others as God forgives us*, our Creator gives us the wisdom and strength to move beyond the sins of others and extend mercy.

It's much like a parent. Regardless of what our child has done, we love them enough to move beyond their behavior and continue to love them. That kind of love for others can only come from God. He can instill a supernatural ability to see others through His eyes. When we do that, we not only forgive and love them, but we can put those words into action by showing mercy.

Too often, we pay lip service to being merciful. After all, it's easy to say we forgive and love those who have harmed us. Showing mercy to all of the above, is the way in which we put this beatitude into action.

In other words, truly being merciful is more than an attitude or a reaction. It's not a way we think, it's the way we live – a deliberate act towards those who have harmed us.

*It's important to note that God's forgiveness comes only through His sacrifice of Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Without acknowledging that the crucifixion is the only way we can have an intimate relationship with God, our faith has no true foundation.

Viewed 305 times