Monday, September 8, 2025

What Motivates People to Show Mercy?

Have you ever been surprised when a family member, a friend, or someone considered less than a friend showed you mercy when it was undeserved? What motivates people to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving? Acts of mercy may be beyond comprehension when facts justify rejection.

Mercy as an attribute of human behavior may seem a bit out of place in a high-stress world where frustration is prevalent. Taking a moment to show consideration and kindness should, however, be the ideal. Showing mercy rather than condemnation should be what all believers in Jesus Christ should practice.

So we celebrate Jesus’ coming into the world as God’s gift of mercy, rather than his condemnation. Faith that saves us is deeply rooted in God’s mercy and generosity. We should in return be willing to show mercy to others as an expression of the gratitude we feel for the mercy God extends  to us. Praise God for his mercy!                     

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Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound in you…in all things at all times.  

~2 Corinthians 9:6-8 New International Version/English Standard Version

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