The word "mercy" is found hundreds of times in the Bible, and is translated from a number of different Hebrew and Greek words.
The English word "mercy" is defined as:
- a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, persons in one's power, etc.; kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded by fairness; forbearance and compassion
- a disposition to forgive, pity, or be kind
- kind or compassionate treatment; relief from suffering (Webster's New World Dictionary)
The definition above helps us to see that mercy is a beautiful combination of an attitude and an action: the ability to be touched by the plight of another and the desire to help them out of their affliction.
Our knowledge and understanding of mercy comes from God. He is called the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort" (2 Cor. 1:3). God's mercy is abundant (Ps. 86:15), faithful and trustworthy (Ps. 13:5), and endures forever (Ps. 136).
While God is merciful towards all of mankind, the Bible teaches that His continued mercy is conditional. In order for us to continue to receive God's mercy we must acknowledge Him in our life (Ps. 86:5), confess and forsake our sins (Prov. 28:13), possess a penitent and contrite heart (Luke 18:13-14), fear the Lord and keep His commandments (Ps. 103:17-18), and show mercy to others (Matt. 5:7).
It should be no surprise to learn that a merciful God expects His children to be merciful. Through the prophet Hosea, God told Israel of old that He desired mercy and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Jesus quoted this Scripture and applied it as a stinging rebuke to the Pharisees (Matt. 9:13, 12:7). God commanded sacrifice, but He expected the exercise of His religion to be useful and helpful to mankind.
The actions of the Good Samaritan were summed up as "he who showed mercy," to which the Lord replied, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).
God requires us to "love mercy" (Micah 6:8). We are not to dismiss mercy as a weak or useless emotion, but cherish it, honor it, and uphold it in our lives.
There is coming a day in which each of us will stand before the Lord to be judged. We will want mercy on that day. The one way to ensure we will receive mercy when we need it the most is by showing mercy to others today.
- "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).
- "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt. 5:7).