Mercy . . .

 

A dictionary defines mercy in two categories: "Corporal works of mercy" which concern the material and physical needs of others and "Spiritual works of mercy" which concern the spiritual needs of others. The Bible puts both in the same category. Mercy is doing for others what they cannot do for themselves.

In the OT, God faithfully keeps his promises and maintains his covenant relationship with his chosen people despite their unfaithfulness. This mercy is more than punishment withheld but actively helping those who are miserable due to circumstances beyond their control. It is shown in the gospel; Jesus Christ came to save sinners which are defined as “all fall short” and need God’s mercy.

As with much of what Jesus says, if God has shown mercy to me and brought me into His kingdom, then I am to show mercy to others. In His day, and even now, mercy is sometimes seen as a weakness, depending on the state of those who are in need of it. I’m thinking of the homeless, people in poverty, those with dementia or other infirmities, elderly people, and many others who cannot do anything about their difficult situations.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) Interesting order in this statement. While it looks as if mercy is earned, it is more like ‘if I feel needy and helpless, then do something for others who are needy and helpless and God will do something to fill my empty place.’ However, this not our acts of mercy that earn mercy from God. Rather, mercy is similar to “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) Both beatitudes are about family resemblance. We do these things because we are in God’s family.

Just as I am to be forgiving in the same way God forgave me, I am also to “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) In the world, mercy is either critically condemned as a weakness, or displayed only by those who want to appear ‘good’ by doing ‘good’ but without the godly compassion that motivates mercy. This quality is given through the power of the Holy Spirit. I must admit that mercy is not always my normal reaction to helplessness.

People can be cruel and unkind, yet a lack of mercy shows up when we are busily engaged in seeking self-gratification and simply neglect others. However, the NT says true faith is illustrated by showing mercy.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14–17)

Mercy is not a weakness. It takes courage and sacrifice to give it. It also requires godly wisdom:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Jesus, thank You for being merciful to me. At first, I didn’t realize my helplessness or how much I needed Your kindness and grace, but now that I do, and now that You have shown me incredible blessing, my heart is softer and even eager to show others the same kindness and grace. None of us deserve Your mercy for we are sinners. Apart from You reaching out to us, all would remain in that hopeless condition of trying to live without You or trying to please You with our own efforts to be ‘good enough’ without even realizing that will never happen. I see a world full of people without any idea that they fall short of Your glory. How badly our world needs to hear about Your goodness and mercy toward everyone. Even the worst of sinners (in our folly of measuring sin by degrees) can be saved because of the great goodness of mercy. Help me to show it and to be alert because there will always be opportunities.

READ Luke 10:25–37. Why did the lawyer question Jesus? How did he try to justify himself? What did the parable say about mercy and to whom should it be given? Who needs mercy in my world? Am I the neighbor that I ought to be toward them? What will it cost me? What did it cost Jesus to show mercy to me?

 

 

 

My thinking vs. God’s mind

When out for a walk the other day, I went by a house and could hear two people inside having a very loud argument. These verses reminded me: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.” (1 Corinthians 1:10–11)

As I think about the mind of Christ and try to describe it, I know one thing for certain: I would never hear the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit having a shouting match. This is not only unimaginable, but would never happen. The mind of God is not filled with conflict, nor does any one of the three persons in the Godhead have a beef with the others, or have a strong will that wants his own way. God is at one in Himself and at peace with Himself.

My mind doesn’t work that way. I could list pages of examples, but here are only a few of them that show how my mind is in marked contrast with how God’s mind works . . .

I can jump on a bandwagon for my favorite church or pastor, singer or music band, even what I think is the best city to live in, or the best store to shop at, any number of things, but God isn’t into that kind of partiality nor does He play favorites. The Bible says that His wisdom “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17) He doesn’t defend Himself, nor does He need to prove anything.

I can think I’ve got things figured out, or admire those who do, but God says, “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20) We humans only think we are wise, but compared to the mind of God, we know very little.

When it comes to thinking who would make a great Christian, I might pick strong, intelligent, well-liked people. However, this is not how God thinks. He says regarding our calling to Christ, “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29) His mind is so different from mine.

I think good leaders will automatically have others serving them, but Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11) My mind would say freedom is not having anyone bossing me around, but the Bible says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1)

When I sin, my mind first thinks to cover it up, not tell anyone, but God says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) My mind can harbor a grudge for a long time, but Jesus says to me, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

My mind also is very self-protective. I want to take care of me, and think that I must do that to come out on top. But again, Jesus is of another mind. He says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

This is why the God tells His people not to conform to the world and even to our old ways. Instead, we are to let Him renew our minds so that we are thinking His thoughts and not our own. God keeps teaching me that unwillingness to do that means a gigantic conflict inside my head— but willingness and a yielded mind brings peace and joy beyond comprehension inside my heart.

Pure > Peace-loving > Persecuted

Good communicators are careful to put sentences in proper sequence. Otherwise what they convey can be muddled and confused. Consider: Dog chases cat. Cat eats dog food. Cat and dog fight. Dog sees cat. Only by changing the order of these statements do they make sense.

Jesus ordered His statements too. Consider this portion of the Beatitudes.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:8–10)

The order is this: first pure, then a peacemaker, then persecuted. The order of the first two is confirmed by other Scripture such as, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

That persecution follows purity and peaceableness is also described here: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Spurgeon also notes the significance in the order of Jesus’ words. He says that purity must be in place lest “our peaceableness is not a compact with sin, or toleration of evil.” This is not about making peace at any cost, but by doing it the way Jesus would do it. That means that godly peacemakers set themselves against anything that is contrary to God and His holiness. That means purity must be a settled matter in my soul before I am fit to make peace with and between others, or introduce them to peace with God.

This is appealing, yet the next verse speaks of persecution. As Spurgeon noted, no matter how peaceable I am in this world, I will be misrepresented and misunderstood. This should not be a surprise. Response to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is filled with division and misunderstanding. Although He loved people perfectly, even died for them, He was “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” He said that I should not be surprised if I am also rejected. 

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18–19)

Purity means I will see God. Seeing God as He really is becomes part of being more like Him. John wrote, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

As purity and seeing Him lead me to a greater likeness to Christ, my desire grows to want people at peace with each other, but also at peace with God. In any effort to proclaim or share how that peace is possible, I will meet resistance. Sinful hearts do not want to hear messages that challenge them to admit sin or give it up. Therefore, they attack the messenger. Godly people love peace, but may receive resistance.

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Lord, grant me the grace to be pure in heart. Continue giving me insight into who You are and what You are doing. Continue building my desire to see others at peace with You and with one another. I know that this will mean being misunderstood and even hated. I need grace for that too.