True Mercy

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

TRUE MERCY

Matt 5:7

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

NIV

There is no question this is an act in which we would be imitating God, for he has indeed shown us great mercy in giving us a way to eternal life. However to show mercy upon another person certainly brings us to a point that is critical to our faith. Mercy is almost the same or the result of pity, having pity on the afflicted. This would usually bring to mind those who are in need of help, being afflicted with some illness or perhaps poverty. There are several issues do deal with in the act of showing mercy in these cases. We should not be as the publicans standing on the street corner pounding their chests, “see how merciful I am”. That fits right along with when we are giving, not to let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. If the reason, whether we are aware or not, is to show others our acts of mercy, then we have already received our reward. But this type of mercy may not be the intention of our Lord. To receive mercy from God is to receive his provision which allows us to escape the condemnation we have placed ourselves under by living a sinful life. When we repent, have a change of mind, a change in our thinking, and accept his provision for salvation, Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have received abundant mercy. Therefore could it be possible this is the type of mercy we should show others, that is to express to them the mercy of God. What greater affliction could a person have then to be afflicted with sin? Yet there still is the normal type of mercy that would be appropriate for us to minister to others with. But again this should not be as a show, but to be done in secret, so to speak. But the greatest mercy we could have upon another person who is afflicted with sin, is to tell them there is a way out, a free gift of God that will give them freedom and relieve their affliction. There is healing for all, a real healing, an eternal healing for all who are afflicted.