Introduction.
“How many of us have ever needed mercy? How many of us have ever refused to give it?”
“What if the mercy you need tomorrow depends on the mercy you show today?”
Mercy is one of the defining attributes of God and a key principle in Christian living. It is not just an emotional response but a deliberate act of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. The Bible teaches that those who show mercy to others will receive mercy from God. This principle is clearly stated in Matthew 5:7, where Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Also, in Luke 6:36, Jesus commands, “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” This verse underscores the expectation that believers, as recipients of divine mercy, should extend the same mercy to others. By doing so, they position themselves to receive even greater mercy from God.
- Understanding Mercy.
Mercy is often associated with compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. It is an attribute of God that He expects His children to emulate. The Bible declares in Lamentations 3:22-23, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” This shows that God’s mercy is constant and unending.
However, God does not only desire us to receive His mercy; He also calls us to extend it to others. In Micah 6:8, we are instructed to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This means that showing mercy is not optional—it is a requirement for those who walk with God.
- Showing Mercy Provokes Divine Mercy.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
– John Wesley:
One of the most profound truths in Scripture is that the mercy we extend to others determines the mercy we receive from God. Jesus reinforces this in Luke 6:37-38, saying, “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you.”
A powerful biblical example of mercy provoking divine mercy is found in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). A servant who owed a great debt was forgiven by his master, but he refused to show mercy to another servant who owed him a much smaller amount. Because of his lack of mercy, his master withdrew his forgiveness and punished him severely. This parable highlights a critical truth: when we refuse to show mercy, we block the flow of divine mercy in our lives.
Similarly, in James 2:13, we are warned: “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” This means that our willingness to be merciful determines the level of mercy we receive in return.
- Ways to Show Mercy
The Story
The two brothers lived on neighbouring farms but had a bitter feud. One day, one brother dug a deep trench to divide their lands. The other hired a carpenter, hoping to build a fence to keep his brother away. Instead, the carpenter built a bridge over the trench. The first brother was moved to tears, and they reconciled.
Lesson:
Instead of seeking revenge, mercy builds bridges. When we show mercy, we open doors for divine reconciliation.
Since showing mercy attracts divine mercy, how can we demonstrate it in practical ways?
A) Forgiving Others.
One of the greatest acts of mercy is forgiving those who have wronged us. Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 6:14-15, saying, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
B) Helping the Needy.
Mercy is not only about forgiveness; it also involves meeting the needs of others. In Proverbs 19:17, the Bible says, “He who pities the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” When we show kindness to those in need, we touch the heart of God, and He responds by showing mercy to us.
C) Showing Compassion Instead of Judgment.
Many times, people fail and fall into sin. Instead of condemning them, mercy calls us to restore them. Galatians 6:1 instructs, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”
- Jesus Christ: Merciful and Gracious.
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
-Mother Teresa
Jesus is the perfect example of mercy. Throughout His ministry, He forgave sinners, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and showed compassion to the undeserving. The greatest act of mercy was His sacrificial death on the cross. Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
If Jesus, who was sinless, showed mercy to us, how much more should we extend mercy to others? By doing so, we align ourselves with the heart of God and invite His abundant mercy into our lives.
Conclusion.
The principle of Mercy Begat Mercy is deeply rooted in Scripture. When we show mercy, we provoke divine mercy in our lives. Whether through forgiveness, acts of kindness, or compassion, extending mercy to others opens the door for God’s mercy to flow in our direction.
The Story
The King’s Pardon.
A mother pleaded with Napoleon to spare her son’s life. Napoleon said, “Your son has committed the offence twice and deserves death.” The mother replied, “I don’t ask for justice; I plead for mercy.” Napoleon responded, “But he does not deserve mercy.” She answered, “If he deserved it, it would not be mercy.” Moved by her words, Napoleon granted the pardon.
Lesson: Mercy is not about what people deserve—it’s about grace.