"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." This simple word from Jesus (Matt. 5:7) is not always easy to obey! The dictionary defines mercy as, "compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, enemy, or other person in one's power." Jesus intends for His followers to demonstrate compassion and patience toward those who offend them. This is not simply compassion and patience toward our friends who offend us but those who might be considered enemies too!
Mercy is not always an easy thing to extend toward those who hurt or offend us. In fact, mercy can seem impossible to extend in some circumstances. However, for the believer, mercy can always be extended because of the power of our relationship with God! There really are times when it is impossible in our flesh to extend mercy but in the Spirit we can do all things.
Obedience to God is not something we do on your own! God has placed His Holy Spirit within us and God intends for us to depend upon Him for our life, especially in moments of weakness or temptation. The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation where it seems impossible to demonstrate compassion or patience toward someone, stop and pray, ask God for strength, ask God to help you see this person through His eyes and ask God to help you demonstrate mercy. The Holy Spirit will enable you to obey God if you depend upon Him!
Mercy is much easier to demonstrate to others when we consider the great mercy extended to us through the Cross of Jesus Christ. "God demonstrates His own love for us in this; While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans. 5:8)" We all need mercy from God and will inevitably need mercy from others too. Let us remember the mercy given us and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us so we will be empowered by God to extend mercy to others!
And don't forget the second part of Matthew 5:7! If you are one who extends mercy to others you will be the kind of person others desire to extend mercy to as well!
James
As of late, God has been teaching me that I need to do this better!
ReplyDeleteGreat timing and much appreciated,
Jarrod
Thanks for the word bro...I think I needed it too!
ReplyDelete