Mercy: You need it and need to share it!

“Those who are furthest from giving mercy are furthest from

receiving it.” John MacArthur

 

  In the early days of his presidency, Calvin Coolidge woke up one morning in his hotel room to find a burglar going through his pockets. President Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an engraved charm he wanted to keep. The President then engaged the thief in quiet conversation and discovered that he was a college student who didn’t have money to pay his hotel bill or even buy a ticket back to campus. So President Coolidge counted $32 out of his wallet, which he’d also persuaded the dazed young man to give back, told him it was a loan, and advised the young man to leave the same way he’d come in so as to avoid the Secret Service! And yes, the young man did pay the loan back. That was mercy.

  Mercy is compassion, kindly forbearance shown toward an offender or an enemy. It’s graciousness, pity, or benevolence. It’s a very biblical trait…it characterizes God. Sadly, ours is a merciless world. Mercy is rarely found apart from the Christ’s Church because our God is a God of great mercy.

  If you’re a Christian, you’ve been shown great mercy. We are to give mercy just as it has been given to us and we’ll never give as much as was given to us. Jesus promised, too, there’s a blessing for the merciful, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” This means the unmerciful miss out on God’s blessings. How can I be a person of mercy?

  Be kind with the quirks of others. We all have them. God is not in the mass production business. Our quirks are part of what make us unique. I’m not talking about sin but unique mannerisms. A pagan, heartless world humiliates those who are different, yet quirks are what often distinguish us. Sometimes we call them idiosyncrasies or peculiarities. They can be odd behavior, even irritating habits. God wants us to demonstrate mercy so we don’t become impatient, irritated or uptight with someone else’s quirks.

  For example, some people put ketchup on nearly everything they eat. Big deal! My wife loves for things to be organized. Me, well…I file chronologically. A great marriage is a union of two great forgivers. As you consistently show forgiveness to your children and teach them to show it to each other, you’re modeling your Heavenly Father because the very first place we must learn to show mercy is at home. Why? Because it’s there we see each other’s faults and quirks far more clearly than anywhere else.

  Help anyone who’s hurting around you. We’re surrounded by hurting people. Unfortunately, we’re too busy to notice. If you care you’re aware. God designed our eyes to look outward not inward for a reason. Jesus taught the story of the Good Samaritan to teach us to help the hurting around us. Our neighbor is whoever hurts, regardless of how different they are from us. You must be merciful to love your neighbor as yourself.  

  Give others a second, third…or fourth chance. I’m often embarrassed when I come to God because I’m confessing the same sin over and over again. But He always forgives me (1 John 1:9). We’re to do the same for others. When a lost person is wronged, they respond with harsh words, anger…bitterness. Watch Facebook during some media controversy. Watch how merciless people react to each other. That can’t be those who know the God of great mercy! We’re to be known as the people of mercy.

  Do good to those who hurt you. Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve. It’s what God does for us. Yet, wounded people often wound others. Jesus modeled for us that those who you want to despise are those you must love and who need it the most. The most hurtful people are those who need massive doses of love and mercy.

  Be kind to those who offend you. The attacks on Christians will increase. Believers represent God’s holiness to a devolving world. We must hold on to God’s truth. How should we respond when we’re attacked? We must be kind to those who are hateful (Romans 12:14-21). We’re in the midst of a culture war. Wars come with tragic costs. We must decide whether we want to win arguments or people to Christ. You never win people by being caustic, harsh or mean. Just begin by praying for those who offend you.

  Be a bridge builder of God’s love, especially to the unpopular. Every school, neighborhood and workplace has some. We all have those around us that others dodge, usually ridiculing behind their backs. They may have quirks, lack basic life-skills, have a different lifestyle or belief system. They may have a different religion or dress differently because of their culture. They’re not part of the “in crowd.” Essentially, they’re outcasts. And reaching out to them may even bring ridicule upon yourself.

  God has called us to be the mediators of His love. Why? Because you’ll never win your enemies to Christ; you can only win your friends.  If you live a life of mercy you’ll be criticized, sometimes even by other Christians. Jesus wasn’t afraid of guilt by association – He knew exactly who He was and His mission: to seek and to save that which is lost. 

  Relationships are more important than rules. I’m not just talking about written rules but also unwritten ones. Determine to commit an act of premeditated kindness this week. Who can you reach out to, invite out for coffee or lunch…or to your home for a meal? Read the Gospels and mark down every time Jesus touched the life of someone that according to the “rules,” He shouldn’t have. His disciples were the odd bunch, held together by His love. That’s what He wants to do with us and our church. He wants us to be a community of mercy. Choose to be merciful! Start now! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.