What Must We Overcome to Have a Heart of Mercy?

The most sought-after attribute of God is his mercy, for embedded in mercy are kindness and forgiveness – the essentials for restoration and healing, both spiritually and emotionally. Matthew 18 tells of a man whose debts were beyond paying, yet in an act of mercy his debts were totally forgiven.

You’d assume this man would show mercy to those whose debts to him were outstanding. Instead of mercy, anger and vengeance dominated his feelings and behavior. If we fail to show mercy as an act of gratitude for what has been given to us, the consequences could be astounding.

God does not look favorably on those who fail to show mercy when they have been the recipients of his mercy and forgiveness. 

Remember this truth to live by: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Never pass up an opportunity to show mercy, for who isn’t in need of God’s mercy? “Give and it shall be given to you.”          

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The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

~Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version

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How Does Demonstrating Mercy Strengthen Our Character?

The first thing most people do when confronted with life-threatening problems is to ask God for help and mercy. We often attribute acts of mercy only to God, for he abounds in mercy and forgiveness, but does God expect us to show mercy to others as an act of our gratitude?

Matthew 18 includes a story of a man whose debts were so out of bounds, his creditor threatened legal procedures. Then motivated by an  act of mercy, the creditor forgave the entire debt. Instead of extending mercy to those indebted to him, however, this man viciously demanded payment.

David extended mercy to Saul by refusing to take revenge against him, but Saul refused to extend mercy to David and in doing so, set himself up for tragedy. God expects us to show mercy as an expression of thanksgiving for the abundant mercy he has shown us. 

Do you need to extend mercy to someone today? Then do it!          

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God blesses those people who are merciful. They will be shown mercy!

~Matthew 5:7 Contemporary English Version

 

So let us continue coming with courage to the throne of God’s unmerited favor to obtain his mercy and to find his spiritual strength to help us when we need it.

~Hebrews 4:16 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.