Wisdom is Mercy, Bearing Good Fruit, Part Two

The blog post preceding this one explored the difficult side of mercy. But mercy also has another side: an easy side, for lack of a better term. 

And this is the way we typically understand mercy: compassionate, kind-hearted care or concern for others. 

This can be much easier than the previous type of mercy in that, for one, it is expected and thus, taught and modeled. It is often what we think of when we talk about charity or having a “servant-heart.”

And it can be much more readily engaged in than the difficult kind of mercy because, quite frankly, it can, and often does, tap into what we are organically good at.

So, for instance, It can feel great to volunteer at a job placement center and use our God-given gift of counseling and networking to connect those looking for a job with employers looking for employees. 

It will be a joy to teach art in an assisted living center when art is what we would do in our free time anyway, and our pleasure is increased by sharing that creative time with others, encouraging them along the way. Mercy here says, “You have a God-induced passion for and will to create art. I am here to guide, encourage and celebrate this Godly disposition with you.”

We might posses a high capacity for patience, allowing us to successfully work with children, or with people who don’t move as quickly and can’t do things as readily as someone else. Our mercy for their situation builds them up within their capabilities—not feeling sorry for them but equipping them to live a full, and perhaps independent, life, where they can grow in confidence and maturity.

We may develop mercy for a specific population of people after going through a traumatic experience of our own, eager to offer them encouragement and support. 

In all ways—be it in difficulty or ease—mercy bears fruit—if we operate mercifully God’s way—not only with others, but also with ourselves and our children. 

And whether it comes in the form of "tough love" or productive compassion, we are called, as disciples of Christ, to incorporate mercy into our life that God may bear His fruit. 

Biblical mercy goes where God intends it to go for His ongoing purpose of increasing His good in the world, which is good for all of us. That is the fruit of Biblical mercy. 

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:13

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:12-16 

“For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.” Titus 3:3-8

copyright Barb Harwood