Be Merciful
Jesus commanded His followers to be merciful, just as their heavenly Father is merciful. Mercy means showing compassion and withholding punishment someone may deserve - grace in action. It matters because every believer has received enormous mercy from God, and extending it to others reflects His heart. In daily life, being merciful looks like giving second chances, responding gently when someone fails, choosing compassion over criticism, and remembering how much mercy you've needed.
Details
- Category
- Character & Conduct
Key Passages
Be ye therefore merciful
Luke 6:36
Luke's version of the command grounds mercy in God's character - 'as your Father is merciful,' making divine compassion both the model and the motivation.
36e ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Did You Know?
Mercy is not getting what we deserve. God has shown us mercy. We are called to extend the same to others. The measure we use will be measured back to us.
The merciful are blessed because they have understood the gospel. They know they stand only by mercy, so they are quick to give it away.
Jesus told the story of the unforgiving servant to show how absurd it is to receive massive mercy and then refuse to extend small mercy. Mercy received must become mercy given.