“With the
merciful You will show Yourself merciful …” 2 Samuel 22:26.
In the
Bible, the virtues of mercy and compassion are mentioned in various forms
hundreds of times, especially in describing God’s nature. Instead of giving us
what we deserve, God has shown mercy again and again, not to take away our
responsibility, but to give us a chance to repent and be saved. We can ask
ourselves: What have we done with that opportunity?
As
undeserving recipients of God’s mercy, nothing else would be fitting than that
we ourselves show unreserved mercy and compassion for other people. Indeed, we
are commanded to be merciful as God is merciful!
The Bible even speaks about
compassion and care for animals. Compassion is to share the pain and suffering
(Bible often mentions suffering. Though this can refer to outward, physical
suffering, in the New Covenant it mostly applies to the suffering that occurs
when you deny your own sinful lusts and desires and put them) of others, and
actively working to help them. Our greatest example in this is Jesus Himself,
who took upon Himself human nature, giving His life to open a way of eternal
salvation for us.
Can we also
open our hearts to others, friends and strangers alike, and learn to love
selflessly, as we have been loved?
Because of
His Mercies, we are not consumed.
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