“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭36‬

Mercy is to be evident in the life of every believer! A great example of such mercy is found in Luke 10, in the story of the Good Samaritan. When the Samaritan bound up the wounds of the man who had been beaten and robbed, he showed mercy. When he took him to the nearest inn and paid for his lodging until he was well, he showed grace. His mercy relieved the pain, and his grace provided for the healing!

One of the most obvious ways we can show mercy is through physical acts, just like the Good Samaritan. As the Lord Jesus specifically commanded, we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and give practical help wherever we can. In Matthew 5:7, the Lord says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

This idea of showing mercy is not new to the New Testament. Consider Deuteronomy 15:7–8, which says:

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.”

We are also called to show mercy to our enemies, according to Luke 6:27–36. Paul reminds us:

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another—even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

From these verses, we learn that mercy is to be expressed not only in our actions but also in our attitude. Mercy does not hold a grudge, harbor resentment, capitalize on another’s failures or weaknesses, or publicize someone else’s sin.

Mercy shows pity, just as the Lord Jesus did from the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). To the repentant thief on the cross, mercy said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (v. 43).

Mercy should also be evident in how we correct one another. 2 Timothy 2:25 says:

“…in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth…”

Jude echoes this idea:

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 21–23).

We could also say that we show mercy by praying for one another and reaching out to the lost. In every way—through our compassion, correction, and intercession—mercy should be a defining mark of those who follow Christ.

Anchor For Today:
Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful