Showing Mercy
For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13 ESV)
A life that has no mercy in it, is a life that will be judged harshly and will not be comforted. Mercy is forgiveness and grace shown to an individual which has opportunity to continue to respond to God in a rational relationship. His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1) and He desires to show mercy to the merciful. (Matthew 5:7) His will has always been and will always be to love His creation. This is proven by how He gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the World. When compared to the greatness of God and His love one can not fathom the depth of His wisdom toward mankind. The steps of being merciful actually goes against the nature of man. To show mercy from the carnal mind and nature is difficult to say the least and usually is coupled with a underlying reason or competitive edge. The Lord shows mercy because He is merciful and just. His ways are much higher than ours and so our His thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) To have victory in life there must be the additive of mercy along with grace. Showing grace to a another person and being merciful will bring the same into your life. What you sow that is what you will reap. (Galatians 6:8) Sowing to the flesh will reap the things of the flesh but sowing to the Spirit will bring the benefits of the Spirit into your life. (Psalm 68:19)
Journeying through life without the help of mercy can make every step of the way seem difficult and unbearable. The inner-man struggling with turmoil and facing its own temptations which give way to sin. The judgment of men coming against one another in already cruel world where selfishness and unselfishness find common ground in being centered on the heart of man. When the debt collector showed mercy to the one in debt, he the debtor should have continued in this action toward others and he did not. (Matthew 18:27-34) Yet, as the Lord taught the disciples on prayer he placed the forgiveness to be on the side of being forgiven and forgiving. The process is that when mercy is shown to you you must also show mercy to others. It is not a pick and choose but a truth that brings forth the response of compassion and willingness to pour mercy on life’s wounds.
What poured out from Christ on the Cross was mercy and that has continued throughout the ages. His words as He spoke from the Cross were merciful words and His response to men who ridiculed Him daily were words of mercy. He showed mercy to the merciful and compassion to those without a shepherd. (Mark 6:34) Showing mercy is not difficult when you actually live faithful life which is committed to the Gospel of Christ and you have taken up your cross to follow him daily. His will and His love have directed you to the place of repentance and from that platform you have changed into a mercy bearer. You carry in your soul the weight of mercy that Christ has gifted you with so that others will obtain mercy. Show yourself merciful and you will receive God’s mercy. The fact of mercy becomes the souls prayer since you have been revealed that mercy comes when it is not deserved.
Dennis
Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.