Topical Bible: Mercy: should be Shown: To Our Brethren

◄ Mercy: should be Shown: To Our Brethren ►

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Definition and Importance
Mercy, in the biblical context, is the compassionate treatment of those in distress, especially when it is within one's power to punish or harm. It is a fundamental attribute of God and a key aspect of Christian conduct. The Bible emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to others, particularly to our brethren, as an expression of God's love and grace.

Biblical Mandate
The call to show mercy to our brethren is deeply rooted in Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches the importance of mercy in the Sermon on the Mount: "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.

Examples of Mercy Among Brethren
1. Joseph and His Brothers: In the Old Testament, Joseph exemplifies mercy when he forgives his brothers who sold him into slavery. Despite having the power to punish them, Joseph chooses to provide for them during a famine, saying, "Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?" (Genesis 50:19). His actions demonstrate mercy and reconciliation.

2. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: Jesus illustrates the necessity of mercy among brethren in this parable (Matthew 18:21-35). A servant, forgiven a great debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master rebukes him, highlighting the expectation that those who receive mercy should also extend it to others.

3. The Early Church: The Acts of the Apostles provides examples of mercy within the early Christian community. Believers shared their possessions and provided for those in need, demonstrating mercy and unity: "There were no needy ones among them" (Acts 4:34).

Theological Implications
Mercy is not merely an optional virtue but a reflection of God's character and a requirement for His followers. James 2:13 warns, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This verse emphasizes that mercy is integral to the Christian life and essential for receiving God's mercy.

Practical Application
Christians are called to actively seek opportunities to show mercy to their brethren. This can be through forgiveness, acts of kindness, and support during times of need. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). By doing so, Christians live out the command to love one another as Christ loved us.

Conclusion
While a conclusion is not provided, the entry highlights the biblical imperative to show mercy to our brethren, reflecting God's love and fulfilling His commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 7:9
Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... 4076] was confined to Israel, He properly commanded that pity should be shown only
to a ... my people, who were my people; ye have not obtained mercy, who once ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

Epistle Liii. To Cornelius, Concerning Granting Peace to the ...
... because the enemy is foretold and shown to be ... trust, will please you in contemplation
of the paternal mercy. ... contest is urgent, thinks that peace should not be ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle liii to cornelius concerning.htm

Epistle Lvi. To Cornelius in Exile, Concerning his Confession.
... unitedness of the brotherhood following has been shown. ... the wholesome counsels of
divine mercy, that the ... struggle is already approaching, we should not cease ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lvi to cornelius in.htm

Of the Clause: "Forgive us Our Debts, Etc. "
... be judged by Him, so we should also judge our brethren, if they have wronged us
in anything, for "he shall have judgment without mercy who hath shown no mercy ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxii of the clause .htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 53, "Except Ye Eat the Flesh ...
... Thou hast shown me Whence I should seek, to Whom ... He should call thee, and being called
should justify thee ... But "thee He crowneth with pity and mercy;" and if ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxi on the words.htm

The Good Samaritan
... Christ has shown that our neighbor does not mean ... Never should we pass by one suffering
soul without ... And when the children of God manifest mercy, kindness, and ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 54 the good samaritan.htm

The Works of John Cassian.
... to work, or in which it is shown that he ... How we should understand these words: "It
is more ... the effort to obtain perfection without the mercy and inspiration of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the works of john cassian /

Epistle vii. To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.
... brethren, we should before this have obtained from the divine mercy what we seek;
nor should we be ... 4. For there also was shown that there sate the father of ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle vii to the clergy.htm

A Treatise on Re-Baptism by an Anonymous Writer.
... raised up the dead, according to His mercy; because He ... only invisible nevertheless,"
now also are shown to the ... But neither should I omit that which the Gospel ...
/.../a treatise of novatian concerning the trinity/a treatise on re-baptism by.htm

Epistle xiii. To the Clergy, Concerning those who are in Haste to ...
... patience to God, so that when by His mercy we come ... whom themselves, moreover, honour
is to be shown for their ... to the Church, some of the lapsed should be hasty ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xiii to the clergy.htm