Romans Chapter 9: Verses 16-17 (NIV)
It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
Yesterday I pondered on condemnation and conviction, and today it’s the other side of the coin. Christians, and anyone else who will accept what Jesus has done will receive God’s mercy, and not in anyway because we have done anything to deserve it or earn it. It is freely given. And God may surprise us in the manner in which we continue to receive it.
But that got me thinking about how important it is for Christians to follow Jesus’ example and show mercy to others. It’s not always easy or straightforward. When digging into this a little further today I found an interesting article by Pastor Rick Warren which summarises seven characteristics of mercy which have certainly given me food for thought, in fact he puts into words what God has been saying to my heart. These are his words not mine but have certainly touched me today.
- Mercy means being patient with people’s quirks.
How do you become more patient with your kids, spouse, coworkers, or friends? You ask God for his wisdom. The Bible says in James 3:17, “The wisdom from above is . . . peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy” (NLT).
2. Mercy means helping anyone around you who is hurting.
You cannot love your neighbour as yourself without being merciful. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (GNT)—and “do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:8 NIV).
3. Mercy means giving people a second chance.
When somebody hurts us, we normally want to get even or write that person off. But the Bible says, “Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others . . . Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ” (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV).
4. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.
Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve, because that’s what God does with us: “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back . . . Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36 NIV).
5. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.
You’ve got to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning the argument. Jude 1:22-23 says, “Show mercy to those who have doubts . . . even though you are afraid that you might be stained by their sinful lives” (GW).
6. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.
When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and other unpopular people, Jesus said, “‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Matthew 9:13 NLT).
7. Mercy means valuing relationships over rules.
Romans 13:10 says, “Love fulfils the requirements of God’s law” (NLT). If you want to show mercy, put people before policies. Put their needs before procedures. Put relationships before regulations. Choose love over law.
Dear Lord,
Help me to remember that mercy is unconditional. Jesus showed mercy to the woman caught in adultery before He told her to go and sin no more. Help me to do as He did. Thank You for the mercy You have shown to me. Amen.