by Walter N. Maris
To Act Justly and to Love Mercy
T
HE NEWSPAPERS and television going through hard times. A by-product Christians who have a gift of mercy
carried the story for several days of of our compassion for others is that have a sensitivity to and an understanding
the man who perished when he we receive more of God’s blessings: of the hurts of others. They seem to know
entered a burning house in an “A generous man will prosper; he who when others are in need, and willingly
attempt to save its inhabitants. The man refreshes others will himself be refreshed” approach them to ask if they can help
had already been able to get one person (Proverbs 11:25).* them in some way and pray for them.
out, so he knew how bad it was inside We are called to be merciful to those While the Church often has gifted
the house before he plunged in again. who have mistreated us in the past, even people to minister to the troubled and
One of the articles of a local reporter to those who intended hurt and did not hurting, there is still the need—and yes,
questioned what kind of mentality or ask for or want our forgiveness. Regard- the command—for all of us to be merci-
character it takes to give up one’s life for less of the past hurt, we are to be forgiv- ful. We probably will not develop very
people he didn’t know. As we marvel at ing and merciful: “Speak and act as those well as agents of mercy unless we purpose
the man’s desperate effort, it is natural to who are going to be judged by the law in our heart to be merciful and daily seek
wonder if it was the man’s heart for that gives freedom, because judgment to fulfill God’s plan to be compassionate
mercy, his compassion for those in without mercy will be shown to anyone and loving toward others. Jesus promises
harm’s way, and his caring personality who has not been merciful. Mercy tri- in the fifth Beatitude that we will be
that made him understand it was up to umphs over judgment!” (James 2:12-13). blessed and we will be shown mercy
him if the people were going to be saved. Scripture supplies the message that when we are merciful. Micah, the Old
There are many needs in our chaotic God desires the Church (you and me) to Testament prophet, declared God’s heart
world that cry out for mercy, most of be His agent of mercy in this world. Jude and His requirements in a stirring mes-
them far less dramatic than the attempt- exhorts, “Be merciful to those who doubt; sage of exhortation: “He has showed you,
ed rescue in the burning building. We snatch others from the fire and save O man, what is good. And what does the
need only to look around us to see the them” (22-23). Jude is referring to an eter- Lord require of you? To act justly and to
opportunity and the continuing need in nal fire, but the message for the priority love mercy and to walk humbly with
our daily life to be merciful. Mercy can be of mercy toward others is clear. After all, your God” (6:8).
realized in forgiveness, generosity, look- everyone who has come to Christ and
ing for the positive attributes in others, has been saved has done so through the * Scriptures are from the New International
and in many other ways as well. mercy of God: “Praise be to the God and Version.
We can be merciful to others through Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his
generosity, making no show of it, but great mercy he has given us new birth Walter N. Maris walks humbly with the
just providing for folks when they are into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Lord in Savannah, Missouri.
30 EVANGEL • MAR 2009
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