“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.” (Psalm 25:10, NKJV)
Much is said in our day and time about the planet Earth that we live on and of our responsibilities to take care of it … and to a great degree this is so. God created this beautiful world in which we live for you and me and all other humans to enjoy! We understand that with every blessing there is a corresponding responsibility.
Jesus Himself stated in the Sermon on the Mount by Matthew’s account, “… for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) God in His grace and mercy provides for the needs of all.
But, if we’re not careful, we can take any or most if not all of these blessings including His mercy, for granted! If one can arrive at the station in life to realize the Source of these blessings … it should lead us eventually to the doorstep of God’s mercy!
Mercy is truly one of the attributes of our God that is perfect in every way. My, oh my how He shows us compassion, concern, care and love for both our physical as well as our spiritual needs.
It was no different when His Son, Jesus Christ, came down from Heaven to this earth in the form of a man and experienced the highs and lows of living, “… being tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
It would be among the characteristics of Christ’s nature to demonstrate both truth and mercy together as He walked on this earth. Jesus would present the message His Father had intended to be preached and accompanied that preaching with miraculous healing and unnumbered good deeds in behalf of others!
The fact is mercy was exhibited by Jesus in all that He did. The question that should be considered by those of us who claim Him as our Savior and Friend is this: Are we doing the same thing in our own lives. No, we cannot go around performing miracles, signs and wonders, but we can go around exhibiting a genuine compassion and caring for all around us.
The following statement has been attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States (1901-1909). “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
It must be the objective of every child of God to emulate the life of Christ in every way (1 Peter 2:21-24). It should always be understood, though not always practiced, that the extension of mercy can never replace the need for uncompromising truth.
Perhaps we need to reexamine what value we place on mercy. Is it not true that our Lord has been far more merciful than any of us deserve? There really is no place for apathy or indifference when it comes to sharing that which we have already and continue to receive!
As we choose to deliberately and intentionally “walk in the Spirit” bearing the “fruits of the Spirit”, we will also grow in our own extension of mercy to others. In fact, mercy should be overflowing into the lives of those around us!
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13, NKJV)
Bill Fairchild, Jr
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