Mercy, a central theme in the Bible, is often depicted as a fundamental attribute of God and a virtue that believers are called to emulate. It encompasses compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, extended especially to those who are suffering or in need.

Divine Mercy

The Bible frequently highlights God's mercy as an essential aspect of His character. In Exodus 34:6, God reveals Himself to Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." This declaration underscores the enduring nature of God's mercy, which is further affirmed in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"

Mercy in the Psalms

The Psalms are replete with references to God's mercy, often as a source of comfort and hope. Psalm 103:8-12 extols God's mercy, stating, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him."

Mercy in the Teachings of Jesus

Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, emphasized the importance of mercy. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This teaching highlights the reciprocal nature of mercy, encouraging believers to extend mercy to others as they have received it from God. Furthermore, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates mercy through the actions of the Samaritan who shows compassion to a wounded traveler, emphasizing that mercy transcends social and ethnic boundaries.

Mercy in the Epistles

The apostolic writings continue to stress the significance of mercy in the life of a believer. In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's mercy in salvation. Additionally, James 2:13 warns, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment," urging believers to practice mercy in their interactions with others.

Mercy as a Christian Virtue

Believers are called to embody mercy in their daily lives, reflecting God's character. Micah 6:8 succinctly captures this calling: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the expectation that mercy should be a guiding principle in the life of a Christian, influencing their actions and relationships.

Conclusion

The concept of mercy permeates the biblical narrative, revealing its importance as both a divine attribute and a human responsibility. Through the Scriptures, believers are encouraged to recognize the depth of God's mercy and to extend that same mercy to others, embodying the love and compassion that are central to the Christian faith.2 Samuel 22:26
With the merciful you will show yourself merciful, and with the upright man you will show yourself upright.
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Psalm 18:25
With the merciful you will show yourself merciful; with an upright man you will show yourself upright;
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Psalm 37:25,26
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
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Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
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Proverbs 3:3,4
Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart:
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Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man does good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubles his own flesh.
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Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
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Proverbs 14:21,22,31
He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
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Proverbs 20:28
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upheld by mercy.
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Proverbs 21:21
He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.
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Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
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Hosea 12:6
Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on your God continually.
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Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
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Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
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Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
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Luke 6:36
Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
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Romans 12:8
Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
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Colossians 3:12,13
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
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James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.
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The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ...
... hosts, how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem ... heaven they pray for the Church
in general, albeit no ... of the dead is extant in the Scriptures, except the ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 26 the twenty-first article.htm

Concerning the Scriptures.
... his particular station, and not only the general terms of ... both with the justice and
mercy of God ... those difficulties that occur to us concerning the scriptures. ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

And Judas Iscariot
... There are many such warnings in the Scriptures. ... in the same sort of a niche, another
distinguished general is to ... rarely heard a man cry, "God have mercy upon me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/and judas iscariot.htm

The General Deliverance
... 2. But how are these Scriptures reconcilable to the present ... less of their original
disposition, (through the mercy of God ... A general view of this is given us in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 60 the general deliverance.htm

Snares of Satan.
... Like a skilful general, he lays his plans beforehand ... might otherwise have been a
believer in the Scriptures. ... outrage his sense of justice, mercy, and benevolence ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Snares of Satan
... Like a skillful general he lays his plans beforehand ... might otherwise have been a
believer in the Scriptures. ... outrage his sense of justice, mercy, and benevolence ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... it is manifest that he speaks of mankind in general. ... to the nature as well of God's
mercy as justice ... to a certain limbus, concerning which the scriptures are as ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm

The Unity of Revelation. 1 "Known unto God are all his Works from ...
... in the Old Testament, and his mercy in the New ... The same general principle applies
to various other doctrinal ... But inasmuch as the Scriptures insist much more ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvi the unity of.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... to be proved by any reasoning or any scriptures, that they ... as the Pope has over
purgatory in general, such has ... is to be in any way compared to works of mercy. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of,
355-374. ... Open door, see Door of mercy. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

What is the difference between mercy and grace? | GotQuestions.org

What is the mercy seat? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Mercy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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