On Being Merciful

Love and Mercy are twin characteristics of God and twin commands as well. They are twins because being merciful is a trait of loving. Note that showing mercy is unconditional as is love. I will "love" if (fill in your requirement here). Whatever you put in the blank is a requirement which satisfies you. Therefore conditional love is selfish because in effect it's your "self" which you seek to satisfy. Love is not an option for a Christian. God commands it as a way of demonstrating love for him! (John 14:15). Therefore it takes quite a bit of effort to love those who fail to pamper your god; your "self". Yes, you read that right! Most people, even Christians love conditionally. I will "love" you if (you pleasure my little god)!

With conditional love it's not God who you are obeying, but your god, the "self" to whom you bow!

Mercy is when love is unconditional. The one to whom you're merciful doesn't have to stroke your idol, the "self" to get a reprieve.

"Mercy" is a kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

By definition then, mercy is showing forgiveness to another although they don't deserve it! How can mere humans be merciful? Because to show God that you love him, acts of love must be done! Being merciful is one of the best ways to demonstrate love. That's why they are twin attributes! Without love mankind is incapable of being merciful! Showing mercy is compassion which you give others because if the situation was turned around, mercy is what you would want. That's "the rule"; The Golden Rule!

Mercy and Love have another sibling! They're not twins; they're triplets! Forgiveness is how a Christian shows mercy and mercy is how a Christian shows love! Yes, "Forgiveness" is one of them, and he was born a few minutes before mercy. Love gestated last, but love is what bonds the three together as if they are one!

Mark 11:25 "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

 Most of us have begged God for forgiveness. If the bequest is sincere and sorrow is genuine, God always forgives! Thank you, God. His ability to forgive is his mercy. He is merciful because he loves us! It's not contingent mercy, but "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16a), and that includes the vilest of the vile!

We ask God to have mercy on us, but then we harden our hearts and be not merciful ourselves! You see, those whose god is the "self" guards that idol well! The "self" is a jealous god and he or she doesn't want the God of whom he or she is jealous to be mimicked! The self wants mercy, but the self isn't merciful. If one sacrifices "the flesh" their idol is toppled and then they love enough to be merciful! Only the most diligent Christian seems to be capable of being that "living sacrifice" to submit their own "self" to God! However, that's what God expects of us because he has already been merciful to us by providing the sacrifice to save our corrupt flesh!

Now for the "kicker"! There must be a point to this commentary, and there is! Study well what Matthew wrote:

Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Matthew knew what he was talking about because he was divinely inspired. Jesus told him what to say! Jesus said, "Tell them this!" and then he spoke the words you just read! The reception of mercy is not conditional from God, but what God gives the merciful is "blessedness"! We're required to be merciful to show our love, but if we obey, then we get blessed!

Blessedness is obtaining God's approval of our demonstration of love, and because God is happy with us, he gives us joy!

Here is a scenario: Some one wronged you, or at least you perceived that you have been wronged. I say "perceived" because humans are fallible. We often totally misinterpret our senses! There are at least two options: 1) Be merciful and forgive or 2) hold a grudge.  If one is merciful he or she is in obedience to God and will be blessed. Happiness is an outcome! I know. I've done that and it's exhilarating.

If the person holds a grudge, God is not pleased because the Christian has not shown the mercy which God as shown to him/her.

James 5:9 "Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Grudging is judging. That's not your job, it's God's. God shows mercy and judges fairly. Holding grudges is having no mercy, and the standard by which we judge and grudge is the same standard which God will use for us!

Remember what I said about "Mercy" being a triplet of love and forgiveness? Well, if "Love" is aborted "Mercy" is mutated!  "Mercy" is unlike "Love" and "Forgiveness" because she has transformed in the womb to "Grudge". With "Grudge" sharing the same womb with Love and Forgiveness, they all miscarry! The "womb" of which I speak is the "soul", the womb where love resides!

Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord."

From experience I can witness to this: If one shows mercy to another, that one is blessed! I forgave several people who wronged me. They never made restitution because sometimes that's not practical and often not possible. I forgave them in spite of that! That's unconditional and is merciful! The blessing I received is joy from God PLUS devotion and the best friendship ever from them! They not only became great friends, but strong allies!

Ain't God wise? Ain't God good?