MERCY

Source: Christiansunite.com

Key Verse: Romans 12;8-“He who showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Definition:

Literally: ‘the outward manifestation of pity.” Mercy assumes ‘need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.’ The gift of mercy is the God-given ability to feel genuine compassion for individuals who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into cheerfully-done deeds to alleviate the suffering.

Scriptural Examples and references:

1...Matthew 23:23-the Pharisees of Christ’ day paid their tithe and followed the letter of the law but did not show forth mercy. That evoked a ‘woe’ from the Lord.
2...Luke 10:33-35-The Samaritan in Jesus’ story certainly had the gift of mercy.
3...Acts 9:36-Dorcas at Joppa made coats and other garments for poor widows. The word ‘almsdeeds’ in 9:36 could be translated ‘mercy-deeds.’
4...Acts 16:33-34-The Philippians jailer after he was converted compassionately ministered to Paul and Silas, alleviating their suffering.

Notes and Observations of the Gift of Mercy:

The gifts of helps, serving and mercy are similar, yet different. They are similar in that all are ‘behind the scenes’ gifts that are vital for the success of the work of the Lord.
The gifts also differ. The gifts of helps is directed ‘toward Christians workers to release them for temporal service so they can concentrate on their primary ministry of the Word and prayer.’

The gift of mercy is directed toward the saint in distress, the outcast, the poor, the underprivileged, the ill, the deprived, the handicapped, the retarded, the unlovely, the shut-in, the hungry, the alcoholic, the drug addict.’

The gift of mercy, like helps and serving, is a low visibility gift. That is, it doesn’t attract much attention or publicity. Few become famous for helping others. Peter Wagner comments, “For every apostle or evangelist or prophet, probably 10 people with mercy, helps, and service are needed to keep the whole body healthy.

Showing mercy is more than having pity. Many feel pity. Mercy is pity in ACTION. This mercy is not just kindness coming from the heart, but divine love acting in Christ’s name.

The same word used for the gift of mercy in Romans 12:8 appears several times in the Gospels when people cried to Jesus, ‘have mercy on me.’

Speaking words of hope and strength to sick family evidences the gift of exhortation [encouragement], but cleaning the house or cooking a meal evidences the gift of mercy.
This gift must be shared with CHEERFULNESS. That is the Greek word from which comes our word ‘hilarious.’ It is the same word used in 2 Cor. 9:7 to describe our giving of money.

Often people will help others but do so in such a way that the deed is lessened by the poor attitude. Mercy must be shown with cheerfulness.

Doing mercy with a growl or scowl nullifies the service. The gift of showing mercy ‘through the inner stimulus of the Holy Spirit, makes the doer of mercy a sunbeam, penetrating the sick chamber to the very heart of the afflicted.”

Practical Uses of the Gift of Mercy:

5.....Visiting nursing homes
6.....Help orphans, children’s homes
7.....Make and take hot meals to families in distress
8.....Counseling to the emotionally needy
9.....Serving with the food pantry or clothing pantry, or other aspects of benevolence
10....Hospital visitation
11....Visiting a center for the handicapped
12....Having distressed and needy people to your home for dinner and/or fellowship
13....Helping transport the needy to church

God Bless,
rECj/LJG