"to be understanding, compassionate and loving; to have pity on, to be compassionate by word or deed, and specifically by divine grace"
Mercy is a spiritual gift that is evident in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the story of the woman caught in adultery, the story of the death of Lazarus, the feeding of the five thousand, his healing the lepers, his association with "tax collectors and sinners," and the way he reached out to those who society shunned. Jesus was known as a friend to sinners. In Luke 4, Jesus quoted a passage from Isaiah:
Those with the spiritual gift of mercy are often found ministering to those who society ignores. The ones called unlovable or unacceptable by others.
Consider Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She lived a life of mercy. She reached out to the poor, homeless, sick children around her. She fed them, nursed them to health, and spoke words of comfort to them. She also inspired others to do the same.
I believe that when we are given the spiritual gift of mercy, that we also receive mercy as well. If we did not, then we would at risk of becoming really burdened by all we see around us and after a time we would literally begin to burn out. Mother Teresa felt very burdened by what she saw, but it was probably her prayer life that kept her on an even keel.
We are all called to mercy.
God tells us all to love mercy. But it could be said, I suppose, that those with the gift of mercy have an extra measure of mercy to offer. They are the ones that somehow know what you need in your time of distress.
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn." Isaiah 61:1-2
Those with the spiritual gift of mercy are often found ministering to those who society ignores. The ones called unlovable or unacceptable by others.
Consider Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She lived a life of mercy. She reached out to the poor, homeless, sick children around her. She fed them, nursed them to health, and spoke words of comfort to them. She also inspired others to do the same.
I believe that when we are given the spiritual gift of mercy, that we also receive mercy as well. If we did not, then we would at risk of becoming really burdened by all we see around us and after a time we would literally begin to burn out. Mother Teresa felt very burdened by what she saw, but it was probably her prayer life that kept her on an even keel.
We are all called to mercy.
He has shown you, oh man, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
God tells us all to love mercy. But it could be said, I suppose, that those with the gift of mercy have an extra measure of mercy to offer. They are the ones that somehow know what you need in your time of distress.
