"...love mercy..." Micah 6:6-8
The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35) illustrates the principle of showing mercy. God gives us the exact opposite of what we deserve. We are to offer mankind this same kind of compassion and forgiveness.
In order to show mercy, we must recognize…
WE ARE ALL IN NEED OF MERCY.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
WE ALL NEED GOD'S MERCY. OUR SALVATION IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT IT!
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5).
WE ALL NEED GOD - WE CANNOT EARN OUR OWN SALVATION.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17: 10).
IN ORDER FOR US TO RECEIVE GOD'S MERCY
WE NEED TO BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS.
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
IN ORDER FOR US TO BE FORGIVEN, WE HAVE TO FORGIVE.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14,15).
DO GOOD UNTO ALL MEN.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
BE PATIENT TOWARD ALL MEN.
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
AND, ALTHOUGH MERCY SHOWS COMPASSION TOWARD OTHERS -
MERCY DOES NOT TOLERATE SIN!
God’s mercy did not excuse the sins of the Israelites – They still had to bear their punishment and they still required an atoning sacrifice. We too, require and atoning sacrifice.
GOD'S MERCY WILL NOT SAVE US IN OUR SINS.
“God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood…” (Romans 3:25) Berean Study Bible.
OUR MERCY TOWARD OTHERS LEAVES A DOOR OPEN
TO TEACH THE GOODNESS AND MERCY OF GOD -
“…The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).