7 Facets of Mercy

August 11, 2023

One of the best ways to be a witness for Jesus in a world that’s

becoming more judgmental, selfish, and unforgiving is to show mercy to

others. Showing mercy is how we will stand out in this world as

followers of Jesus.

Today we’re going to look at seven facets of mercy.

1. Mercy means being patient with people’s quirks.

How do you become more patient with your kids, spouse, coworkers, or friends? The Bible says in James 3:17, “The

wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle

at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy” (NLT).

The wiser you become, the more patient and merciful you become.

1. Mercy means helping anyone around you who is hurting.

You cannot love your neighbor as yourself without being merciful. Proverbs 3:27 says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (GNT).

And, to add to this, God is not simply watching what you do. He’s watching your attitude: “[When you] show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:8 NIV).

You can do charity work all day long with the wrong motive and the

wrong attitude, and it doesn’t count. Your heart matters when it comes

to being merciful to those around you.

1. Mercy means giving people a second chance.

When somebody hurts us, we normally want to get even or write that

person off. That’s what culture tells us is acceptable. The world tells

us, it’s your right to cancel them or cut them off. But the Bible says, “Stop

being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or

curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and

forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ” (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV).

1. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.

Mercy is giving people what they need, not what they deserve. Why should we do it? Because that’s what God does with us: “Love

your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to

get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be

children of the Most High, because [God] is kind to the ungrateful and

wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36 NIV).

This doesn’t mean to have no boundaries with people and be a doormat.

Giving people a second chance is about your heart toward them. You can

make allowances for their shortcomings and you can prayerfully ask God

for direction in proceeding with that relationship.

1. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.

You’ve got to be more interested in winning people to Christ than in winning the argument. Jude 1:22-23 says, “Show

mercy to those who have doubts. Save others by snatching them from the

fire of hell. Show mercy to others, even though you are afraid that you

might be stained by their sinful lives” (GW).

1. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.

This is what I call premeditated mercy, because you intentionally

build friendships with people who don’t have friends or who are not

accepted at work or in society.

When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and other unpopular people, Jesus said, “‘I

want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call

not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are

sinners” (Matthew 9:13 NLT).

1. Mercy means valuing relationships over rules.

Romans 13:10 says, “Love fulfills the requirements of God’s law” (NLT).

If you want to show mercy, put people before policies. Put their needs

before procedures. Put relationships before regulations. Choose love

over law.