Our greatest witness is showing mercy to others!

“Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

Four Ways That You Can Be Merciful To Others:

1. Look and listen for their needs. “Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

2. Don’t be easily offended by their sins. “22Show mercy to those who have doubts. 23Save others by snatching them from the fire of hell. Show mercy to others, even though you are afraid that you might be stained by their sinful lives.” (Jude 1:22-23) [GW]

“Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.” (Ephesians 4:2) [GW]

Don’t expect unbelievers to act like believers until they are!

3. Respect them with your words. “Be humble and gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other.” (Colossians 4:2) [GW]
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

4. Value relationships over keeping rules. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.” (Matthew 23:23)

Practical Ways To Be An Agent of God’s Mercy:

• Look for people in crisis and care enough to listen to them. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

• Look for people with real needs and help them. “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out.” (Romans 15:2-3) [Msg]

• Look for people who are grieving and comfort them. “3Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4He comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

• Look for people who need a friend and befriend them. “Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.” (Romans 12:13) [GNT]

• Look for people who need a second chance. “Share your belongings with your needy fellow Christians, and open your homes to strangers.” (2 Corinthians 2:7) [CEV]