Topical Bible: Mercy: Characteristic of Saints

◄ Mercy: Characteristic of Saints ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Mercy, as a divine attribute and a Christian virtue, is a fundamental characteristic expected of the saints, those who are set apart for God's purposes. The concept of mercy is deeply rooted in the nature of God and is reflected in the lives of His followers. In the Bible, mercy is often associated with compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, and it is a quality that believers are called to embody in their interactions with others.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible presents God as the ultimate source of mercy. 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 self-revelation highlights mercy as an essential aspect of God's character. The psalmist echoes this in Psalm 103:8, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion."

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God's mercy, demonstrated this attribute throughout His earthly ministry. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus instructs, "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of mercy over ritualistic observance, calling His followers to prioritize compassion and forgiveness.

Mercy in the Life of the Saints

The saints, as followers of Christ, are called to reflect God's mercy in their lives. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This beatitude underscores the reciprocal nature of mercy; those who extend mercy to others will themselves receive mercy from God.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently exhorts believers to practice mercy. In Colossians 3:12-13, he writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Here, mercy is intertwined with forgiveness, patience, and kindness, forming a comprehensive picture of the Christian's moral duty.

James, the brother of Jesus, also emphasizes the importance of mercy in the life of a believer. In James 2:13, he warns, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This passage serves as a sobering reminder of the necessity of mercy in the believer's life, highlighting its triumph over judgment.

Practical Expressions of Mercy

Mercy manifests in various practical ways in the life of a saint. It involves acts of kindness and compassion towards those in need, as illustrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The Samaritan's actions exemplify mercy through tangible assistance and care for a wounded stranger, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.

Forgiveness is another critical expression of mercy. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus instructs Peter to forgive "not seven times, but seventy-seven times," indicating the boundless nature of mercy. This teaching encourages believers to extend forgiveness repeatedly, reflecting the infinite mercy of God.

Moreover, mercy involves a readiness to empathize with others, sharing in their sufferings and joys. Romans 12:15 advises, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." This empathetic response is a hallmark of a merciful heart, demonstrating genuine concern for the well-being of others.

Conclusion

Mercy, as a characteristic of the saints, is a reflection of God's own merciful nature. It is a virtue that encompasses compassion, forgiveness, and kindness, and it is essential for the believer's spiritual life and witness. Through the practice of mercy, the saints not only fulfill their calling but also bear witness to the transformative power of God's love in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 37:26
He is ever merciful, and lends; and his seed is blessed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... heart." He refers to that sincere and whole-souled mercy characteristic of the ... condemns
the works and arbitrary rules of hypocritical saints, whose severity ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

Earliest Memories
... that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."[5 ... He has been pleased to create great
Saints who may ... In fact, the characteristic of love being self-abasement, if ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter i earliest memories.htm

Earliest Memories
... that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." [8 ... He has been pleased to create great
Saints who may ... In fact, the characteristic of love being self-abasement, if ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/chapter i - earliest memories.htm

Attributes of Love.
... on the other hand, justice is conditionated by mercy, and cannot ... Just and righteous
are thy ways, thou King of saints!". ... to do so, must be a characteristic of a ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiv attributes of love.htm

Attributes of Love.
... Holiness is, doubtless, a characteristic, or quality of each ... view will always, doubtless,
much affect the saints. ... a clear perception of the divine mercy in its ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Hebrews xii. 18-24
... nor enmity; the tabernacles of the saints are permanent abodes; and among those
saints is exultation ... Nothing is so characteristic of a Christian, as mercy. ...
/.../homily xxxii hebrews xii 18-24.htm

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... sees the heart they are not characteristic of renovation ... gifts of divine grace"that
was mercy denied him ... children of God "that all the saints will eventually ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

The New Sinai
... the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8. Blessed ... blind, evil, weak, is intended;
the characteristic tone of ... of the earth, and the meek saints shall reign ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

Hymns to the virgin
... large class of sacred poems very characteristic of the ... been mentioned"the poems
addressed to saints, and, above ... as herself the chief source of mercy and help ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/hymns to the virgin.htm

Reverence in Worship.
... so, want of reverence has been the characteristic on the ... our own words;" in imitation
of all Saints before us ... short petitions, such as "Lord, have mercy upon us ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon i reverence in worship.htm