Mercy

Lam 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” One of the characteristics of the Christian is Mercy! Mercy is vital in our walk with Christ! Jesus is very clear in order to receive mercy we must show mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The key to mercy and tender heartedness is Sensitivity! If we are going to be merciful, forgiving people, we must learn how to empathize with others; Feeling as others feel! The writer to the Hebrews in Hebrew 4:15 speaks about our high priest; he writes “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” The key to mercy and tender heartedness is Sensitivity!

A Good practice is to try and walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before we express judgement! It’s easy to tell someone else what they need to do especially when you have not lived through their situation.

The key to mercy and tender heartedness is Sensitivity!

Jesus calls us to empathize with the hurting…

– To identify with

– To understand

– To sympathize with

– To have compassion

– To feel the pain, the hardship, the sorrow of another!

 

Ask yourselves theses questions:
– How do you suppose it feels to be handicapped, unable to walk or stand, unable to drive or take care of yourself?
– How do you suppose it feels to be unemployed with bills you cannot pay and children you cannot feed?
– How do you suppose it feels to be divorced, struggling through the pain of having the one you love reject you?
– How do you suppose it feels to be widowed or to loose a child or parent?
– How do you suppose it would feel to have Cancer or some other disease?
– How do you think it would feel to be really depressed and full of despair and not even know why?
– How would it feel to be all alone and unloved?
– How would it feel to be full of doubt and fear?

The point is that we need to climb into someone else’s situation at least mentally and walk a mile or two in their shoes. Once we do we might find it easier to show tender-hearted love and genuine MERCY. Sensitivity and Empathy are very important keys.  When we feel as others feel, we might understand why they act and react the way they do. Merciful People are Sensitive People and they are Godly people!

Join me next month for more practical ways to develop mercy in your life.

Be Merciful!

Blessings
Pastor Moral