SPIRITUAL GIFTS: MERCY
He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
The last gift listed in Romans 12 is the incredibly important gift of mercy. Please note off the bat that the gift of mercy is something that is shown. It isn’t something that is felt. Some people associate the gift of mercy with the feeling of compassion. While compassionate feelings are usually present with the gift of mercy, they are definitely not the same thing. This altruistic gift is demonstrated through action.
If the one who has the gift of mercy is to demonstrate that gift through actions, to whom are they to demonstrate it? Part of the beauty of this wonderful gift is that mercy can be shown to anyone! For example, the gift of mercy can be shown to someone in financial need through the donation of funds. Or, it can be shown to someone in emotional turmoil through the offering of one’s shoulder to cry on. The gift of mercy is actively looking to help anyone in need. The one who possess mercy is usually the champion of the bullied, the lost, or the rejected.
In addition to what the gift of mercy is defined as, we are also told how the gift of mercy is to be given: through cheerfulness. You’ll never meet a perpetually grumpy person gifted with mercy. The mercy-givers are the ones who are eager and happy to help!
As always, Jesus is the best picture of the gift of mercy in action. There are so many examples in The Bible of His mercy; from healing the lepers, to feeding the hungry, to teaching the lost. But, the one that stands out the most was when Jesus reacted to the woman caught in the act of adultery. He defended her from her accusers, He protected her from her shame, He propelled her away from her past and pointed her towards a glorious future in Him! That is what the gift of mercy is all about!
If the one who has the gift of mercy is to demonstrate that gift through actions, to whom are they to demonstrate it? Part of the beauty of this wonderful gift is that mercy can be shown to anyone! For example, the gift of mercy can be shown to someone in financial need through the donation of funds. Or, it can be shown to someone in emotional turmoil through the offering of one’s shoulder to cry on. The gift of mercy is actively looking to help anyone in need. The one who possess mercy is usually the champion of the bullied, the lost, or the rejected.
In addition to what the gift of mercy is defined as, we are also told how the gift of mercy is to be given: through cheerfulness. You’ll never meet a perpetually grumpy person gifted with mercy. The mercy-givers are the ones who are eager and happy to help!
As always, Jesus is the best picture of the gift of mercy in action. There are so many examples in The Bible of His mercy; from healing the lepers, to feeding the hungry, to teaching the lost. But, the one that stands out the most was when Jesus reacted to the woman caught in the act of adultery. He defended her from her accusers, He protected her from her shame, He propelled her away from her past and pointed her towards a glorious future in Him! That is what the gift of mercy is all about!
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SPIRITUAL GIFTS: PART 1SPIRITUAL GIFTS: PROPHECYSPIRITUAL GIFTS: MINISTRYSPIRITUAL GIFTS: TEACHINGSPIRITUAL GIFTS: EXHORTATIONSPIRITUAL GIFTS: GIVINGFILLED WITH THE SPIRITSPIRITUAL GIFTS: LEADERSHIPSPIRITUAL GIFTS: MERCYFAITHHOPELOVENEVERTHELESSBE-ATTITUDES: POOR IN SPIRITBE-ATTITUDES: THOSE WHO MOURNBE-ATTITUDES: MEEKNESSBE-ATTITUDES: HUNGER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESSBE-ATTITUDES: BEING MERCIFULBE-ATTITUDES: PURE IN HEARTBEATITUDES: PEACEMAKERSBEATITUDES: BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTEDGOD MEANT IT FOR GOODCEASELESS SUPPORTPASSING THE BATON
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