What Is Required for Being Willing to Show Mercy?

Each person will at some point be called upon to act courageously in defense of personal values or for protection of family and friends. Courage is also associated with defending what is socially right and just.

Remember this story? Robbers beat a man almost to death and left him by the roadside. Two religious leaders passed by, looked at the man, and walked on. Finally, a Good Samaritan stopped and compassionately attended to the man’s wounds, saved his life and provided continuing care.

Did that act of mercy take courage? This man prioritized his ethics and humanity and acted with compassion. What evidently inspired him to care for this dying man was his need for a clear conscience and being free of shame and guilt. You can be committed to the Apostle Paul’s directive from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous and strong. Show God’s love in everything you do.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

~Colossians 3:12  New International Version

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Pity: A Bridge to Forgiveness

Vindictiveness is akin to anger and resentment when it becomes ingrained in a person's attitude, thoughts and feelings. This powerful belief system has the potential for numbing a person's feelings of compassion for others. Little or no sympathy is possible for those to whom vindictiveness is directed because the heart has grown cold and hard.

Pity is a form of sympathy and compassion. A woman became angry and bitter toward a co-worker who, out of jealousy, spread slanderous gossip about her that broke her heart. She just couldn't bring herself to forgive the woman because of the damage it did to her reputation. As her anger intensified, she became more resolute to retaliate.

When she learned her co-worker was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she began to develop feelings of pity for her which replaced the anger and vindictiveness. Her feelings of pity built a bridge to forgiveness. Jesus used the word pity to describe a Good Samaritan who was willing to help a man who in all probability would never have done the same for him.  

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“But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him... 

Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.”

~Luke 10:33-34, 37 Good News Bible

God Is There! Are You Listening? - Part 1

How would you evaluate the ethics of our culture when it comes to going beyond what is required, doing what is commendable? Several years ago, a plane crashed into the Potomac River just outside Washington DC. A young man risked his life to save passengers by swimming out to the plane in freezing water to bring helpless victims to shore.

Luke’s Gospel records the account of the Good Samaritan who helped a wounded man who had been left for dead beside the road. He went beyond the call of duty to insure the injured man was given proper care. This parable also relates how two religious leaders of the same nationality as the wounded man used excuses to pass by and refused to give help.

The strong voice of conscience directs us to do what is morally right and good. Each person can choose to perform spontaneous acts of kindness with no thought of reward. If an opportunity arises to follow the voice of your conscience, are you ready and willing to hear and respond? What would Jesus do?