MERCY

What is the definition of mercy?

Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one’s power to punish or harm them.

The word “mercy” derives from the medieval Latin merced or merces, which means "price paid." It has the connotation of forgiveness, benevolence and kindness. Mercy is often used in a religious context of giving alms, caring for the sick or the poor.

In the legal sense, mercy often refers to compassionate behavior from a person in power, such as when a judge shows clemency, leniency or mercy during sentencing.

Mercy appears in the Bible as it relates to forgiveness or withholding punishment. For example, God the Father showed mercy on us when he sacrificed his son, Christ Jesus, on the Cross to pay the price for our sins.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions." — Psalm 51:1, NIV

What God says about mercy?

One of the best things the Bible tells us is that mercy is a characteristic of God (Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 25:6-7) . Even though we deserve judgment, we ask God for patience, and He gives us something even better. God blesses us with pity, compassion, a canceling of our debt, complete and total mercy.

In the Bible, the virtues of mercy and compassion are mentioned in various forms hundreds of times, especially in describing God’s nature. Instead of giving us what we deserve, God has shown mercy again and again, not to take away our responsibility, but to give us a chance to repent and be saved. We can ask ourselves: What have we done with that opportunity?

As undeserving recipients of God’s mercy, nothing else would be fitting than that we ourselves show unreserved mercy and compassion for other people. Indeed, we are commanded to be merciful as God is merciful! The Bible even speaks about compassion and care for animals. Compassion is to share the pain and suffering of others, and actively working to help them. Our greatest example in this is Jesus Himself, who took upon Himself human nature, giving His life to open a way of eternal salvation for us.

PRAYER POINT:

O Lord my Father, i ask that you show me Your mercy in every of my endeavors in the Name of Jesus Christ Your Son i pray. Amen.