Mercy is God's compassion toward the undeserving — withholding the judgment we deserve and granting the kindness we don't. 'His mercy endureth for ever' (Psalm 136). Christians are called to extend the mercy they've received (Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36). Mercy and justice meet at the cross.
Mercy is one of the most pervasive themes in the Bible. The Hebrew word 'chesed' (loving-kindness, covenant loyalty) and 'racham' (compassion from the womb), and the Greek 'eleos' all carry the sense of pitying compassion expressed in action. Several biblical truths. (1) Mercy is fundamental to God's character. Exodus 34:6 — 'The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.' This is God's self-revelation to Moses. Mercy is not optional for God; it is who he is. (2) God's mercy is the basis of salvation. Titus 3:5 — 'Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.' Ephesians 2:4-5 — 'God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us... hath quickened us together with Christ.' We are not saved because we deserve it but because God is merciful. (3) Mercy is reflected in the cross. At the cross, justice and mercy meet — God's justice is satisfied by Christ paying sin's penalty; God's mercy is poured out on sinners who trust him. (4) Mercy is for the needy. Throughout the Bible, God shows mercy to the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the poor (Deuteronomy 10:18). Jesus had compassion on the leper, the demonized, the bereaved (Matthew 9:36 — 'But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them'). (5) Christians are commanded to be merciful. Matthew 5:7 — 'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.' Luke 6:36 — 'Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.' Colossians 3:12 — 'Put on therefore... bowels of mercies.' (6) Mercy involves action, not just feeling. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) showed mercy by binding wounds, paying for care, and committing to ongoing help. Jesus' question: 'Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him?' Answer: 'He that shewed mercy on him.' (7) Mercy is connected with judgment. James 2:13 — 'For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.' The Christian who refuses mercy will be judged without it. Mercy and forgiveness. They overlap but are distinct. Mercy is the broader category — kindness to those who don't deserve it. Forgiveness is one expression of mercy — pardoning wrong. God's mercy moves him to forgive; forgiven Christians are then merciful and forgiving toward others. Practical: how to be merciful. (1) Receive God's mercy daily — Hebrews 4:16. (2) Notice the needy — Jesus saw multitudes; we often look away. (3) Move toward suffering — the Good Samaritan crossed the road. (4) Help in ways that cost — time, money, attention. (5) Forgive — Matthew 18:21-35. (6) Refuse judgmentalism — 'For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged' (Matthew 7:2). Mercy mark Christians.
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.”
Receive God's mercy daily (Hebrews 4:16). Notice the needy. Move toward suffering. Help in ways that cost. Forgive freely. Refuse judgmentalism. Be the Good Samaritan to your neighbor. As you've received mercy, give it. 'Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful' (Luke 6:36).
Mercy is God's compassion toward the undeserving — withholding the judgment we deserve. Hebrew 'chesed' (loving-kindness, covenant loyalty) and Greek 'eleos' both describe pitying compassion expressed in action. God's mercy is the basis of salvation (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:4). His 'mercy endureth for ever' (Psalm 136). Christians are called to be merciful as he is (Luke 6:36).
Both are God's undeserved kindness, but distinct: mercy is God NOT giving us what we DO deserve (judgment); grace is God GIVING us what we DON'T deserve (forgiveness, salvation, eternal life). Mercy delivers from punishment; grace bestows blessing. The two flow together in salvation — mercy spares, grace provides. Both meet at the cross.
(1) Receive God's mercy daily so it can flow through you. (2) Notice the needy — Jesus was 'moved with compassion' when he saw the multitudes. (3) Move toward suffering — like the Good Samaritan crossing the road. (4) Help at cost. (5) Forgive freely. (6) Refuse judgmentalism (Matthew 7:1-2). (7) Show mercy specifically to enemies (Matthew 5:44). Mercy is compassion put into action.
Yes — to anyone who comes to him in repentance and faith. Psalm 86:5 — 'For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.' Lamentations 3:22-23 — 'his compassions fail not. They are new every morning.' 1 Timothy 1:15-16 — Paul, the chief of sinners, found mercy. No sin is beyond God's mercy in Christ.