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How would you define Mercy? Write your own definition below..
The Oxford American Dictionary defines it as "refraining from inflicting punishment or pain on an offender, or someone in your power." The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as " Forbearance & compassion on one who is in his power and who has no claim to his kindness; a disposition to show compassion or forgiveness. Strong's Bible dictionary lays it out this way: " God's forbearance towards his creatures and forgiveness for their sins.
There are many examples of mercy in the bible such as this parable.
Luke 10:30-37 (NIV) In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped
him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he
passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Jesus forgave the very people who had persecuted him. And after his death and resurrection,
Jesus once told this parable about mercy
Matthew 18:23-34 (NIV) "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
Don't forget that Paul and Peter were two recipients of God's mercy. So are we.
In all of these examples, there was someone in a position of power, who could make a decision about how a person might be treated. Perhaps the person in power had the right to punish or harm the other, but a decision was made to treat the weaker person kindly, with mercy.
This is, after all, how we were treated. Jesus’ mercy, and his proclamation of mercy to sinners, was a core part of his ministry:
Matthew 9:10-12 (NIV) While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
The people who sin (wrong) against us or God need mercy, not the nice people who never bother us. And it is hard for many of us to treat those people with mercy and forgiveness. We know we are supposed to, and we may do the right things, but it is hard, and all too often we fail.
But a few have the gift of mercy, that gift that flows naturally, that allows them to forgive and be gracious, even to those who have harmed them.
How important is mercy? Why do you feel that way?
Listen to the scriptures....
Matthew 9:13 (NIV) But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not
sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Matthew 12:1 (NIV) At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the
Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat
them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples
are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." He answered, "Haven't you
read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house
of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread--which was not
lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law
that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are
innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known
what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have
condemned the innocent.
What could this mean?
We are not to judge, that is God's job. We are not to make sacrifices of the
offending person. That too is God's job. We ARE to shows much mercy as we can.
Matthew 23:23 (NIV) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you
hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have
neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and
faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the
former.
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Jesus placed Mercy higher than the man-made "laws" and rules of the
Jewish faith. All are called on to be merciful, but for some, it comes easier.
For some, the forgiveness of others come easier, and those are the people who
have the Gift of Mercy
Why do we call mercy a GIFT?
Obviously we do it because Paul lists it, but also because for many of us, it is
hard to do. But for a few, the spiritually gifted, mercy comes naturally, like
the gift it is.
How do we use the gift of mercy if we have it? How can we use it to
accomplish what God would have us do? Do you remember why Paul said we were given Spiritual Gifts and how we were to put them to use? Then read this scripture.
1 Timothy 1:13-15 (NIV) Even though I was once a blasphemer and a
persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Mercy shown to a person can be what makes them finally look up to God, who makes them realize that God is merciful, that he loves us. Mercy and kindness can draw a soul back to God in a way rules and laws cannot. It gets people’s attention in the deepest part of their hearts.
THE GIFT OF MERCY IN OUR LIVES
Once again, THIS IS NOT A TEST. This is strictly a tool to help you discover
if you have the gift of mercy in your life. The following questions are indicators of the gift of mercy in your life. A score of one means this is rare in your life. A score of five means this is common.
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
You are sensitive to the needs of others, even those who do not tell you what is happening in their lives. |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
You find it easy to forgive, even those who hurt you or those you care about.
(remember, forgiving is not the same as forgetting) |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
You tend to be able to see and understand other people's points of view and feelings. |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Even when you have the opportunity to to hurt a person (who may deserve it), you go out of the way to avoid doing so. |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
You avoid talking about people who harm you or others. |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
When you talk to a person who has hurt or offended you, you tend to speak to them in a conciliatory manner rather than in a confrontational manner. |
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
You find yourself wanting to help someone who offends you instead of wanting to "get even" |
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