Though some Christians are gifted to habitually display abnormal amounts of mercy (Rom 12:8), each and every believer is expected to show mercy to others – and to ourselves (Mt 5:7). We see misery and cheerfully want to relieve it. Acts of mercy can be portrayed as being like a ray of light that enters an utterly dark room filled with despair (Rom 12:8, WSNT note). What loving child of Him who is love wouldn’t want to be a sunbeam to someone in such a situation? To offer hope, light, comfort, relief – is this not what caring service should be about?
God gives mercy to the merciful (Mt 5:7). His mercy is better than lives (Ps 63:3, Septuagint, literal Greek). Mercy is better than having many lives. What difference would it make to live multiple lifetimes if we don’t ever receive God’s mercy? After all, we never become able to purify ourselves, no matter how many lives we have (Prov 20:9). We must look to the Lord to forgive us and be merciful to us. Mercy is love that reaches down to help another’s need whether or not they deserve it (EDBW, p 440). Eternal life depends on God’s mercy rather than on our own merit or efforts. Hence, no number of lives can accumulate enough so-called merit (Rom 9:16). His mercy is better than having many lives.
Being merciful keeps us within reach of God’s mercy (1 Pet 2:10, Cassirer). It helps us recognize when the Lord is seeking to visit us with a special measure of His mercy (Lk 19:44, BB). It prevents us from being like the unmerciful servant who told his fellow servant to pay up if he happened to owe anything (Mt 18:28, CLNT). We take a more generous approach to others because His mercy, which breeds life (Prov 11:19, Knox), has changed us.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.