From the best part of yourself ~ Mercy. 1 Timothy 1.2

From the best part of yourself ~ Mercy. 1 Timothy 1.2

Grace, mercy, and peace

from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.



Mercy … got any? Mercy … give any?

Jesus was the best story-teller who ever lived ~ consider mercy through his brilliant illustration:

“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.

“The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.

“The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’

“The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.

“The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”1

Summary: Impossibly large debt owed … enter mercy … debt forgiven, debtor freed. Small debt owed the same debtor … payment demanded, no forgiveness … debtor imprisoned.

Mercy has many facets. Paul prayed mercy—God’s loving kindness and favor—upon Timothy in his time of great need leading the church at Ephesus. Jesus’ illustration exemplifies mercy’s attributes of pardon. When it would seem like one might expect judgment, the judge decides to pardon or bestow mercy. Whereas our common dictionary definition of mercy is 'grace or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.' More often than not, the term mercy is used interchangeably with compassion, and the Bible draws a correlation-- "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."2

In order to give mercy, I believe one usually has to experience mercy. Paul had experienced God’s mercy, so he could teach about it, and the need for it, and he could give it away—in this case, to Timothy. You and I have been shown mercy at the foot of the cross, and God requires you and I in return to show mercy to others. James said ‘judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.’3

In order to give mercy, one has to first see … other’s emotional hurts, physical pain, financial need, etc. So, let’s see … And then, let’s freely give mercy, and be merciful people. Friends,

could we purpose to see those with whom

we come in contact who could use a touch of mercy? See! And then what? Show mercy as it is needed, and as you are able. Extend yourself—maybe with a smile, or by lightening someone’s load; or forgive someone who has hurt your feelings before they ask, or even if they never do. Fact is, mercy gives. Mercy gives of the best part of one’s self.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 - Matthew 18.23-35, The Message

2 - Matthew 5.7 (part of the Beatitudes that Jesus gave us from the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew and Luke) I want to be shown mercy... do you? 3 – James 2.13