Manifestations of God’s mercy – Part 2

Mercy is favour undeserved that we receive from God after repentance. And because we have received mercy from God, we are so grateful to Him. It is this personal gratitude that leads us into the ministry of mercy. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11). We ought to show mercy to others as proof of our gratitude to God, who first had mercy upon us and forgave our sins.

God generally shows mercy to all. He allows the sun to shine and the rain to fall for the good of the just and the unjust. He also allows all to enjoy some material blessings. But this divine benevolence, without repentance on the part of sinners, will not be of any eternal good to them. We must continue to show mercy and to do it the way Christ did it. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Believers have received many-sided and manifold mercies of God. They are duty-bound to show mercy to others with cheerfulness, because it proceeds from a grateful heart. Pride and self are not part of the manifestation of God-kind of mercy. Humility and diligence are components of mercy. We show mercy to enemies by giving them material things to enjoy, but we do not accommodate them in our houses. If we do, they will pose a great danger to, and are capable of destroying our families and ministries.

Jesus is the greatest model of His own message. He did not reveal to Judas Iscariot deep secrets of the kingdom as He did to Peter, James and John, though all of them enjoyed material things commonly in His presence. Believers should follow this pattern of Christ in Scripture. We must be wise to balance mercy with truth; we must show mercy on the basis of truth.

If we are merciful, we will obtain mercy. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” When we obey God in showing mercy to other people, we will find mercy and favour in the sight of God and men. We will also find life and honour. As we show mercy, Lord’s blessings will become abundant in our lives.

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed ” (Psalm 37:25, 26). As the Lord uses us in the ministry of mercy to bring restoration and peace, our lives will witness divine visitation of mercy. Following the pattern of Scripture and the way of Christ in showing mercy makes it possible for merciful people not to stop coming our ways.

Further Reading (King James Version): Matthew 5:7; Isaiah 55:6,7; Proverbs 28:13; Ephesians 2:1-4,10; 1 Peter 1:3; Luke 1:72,77,78; Deuteronomy 13:17,18; Jude 20,21; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; Matthew 5:7; 1 John 4:10,11,19-21; Ephesians 4:32; 5:1,2; Romans 12:1,8-21; Colossians 3:12,13; Luke 6:36; 2 Chronicles 19:1,2; Matthew 5:7; Proverbs 3:3,4; 11:16,17,25; 21:21; Psalms 37:25,26; 41:1-3; 112:4-9; Isaiah 58:10-12.