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