In our current teaching series on the Spiritual Gifts, we are encouraging you to unwrap the gifts God has provided for serving and building up the church in love. One of most important gifts, that we all need to survive, is mercy.

Unfortunately, we do not live today in a merciful world. In the history of humankind, our generation will not go down as a merciful one. There has been too much killing, too much cynicism, too much moral decay, too many corrupt politicians and public officials.

With all our technical and “knowledge” advancements, we haven't learned well how to treat other people. 

What will historians in the future have to say about us?

Here's a radical truth: 

Jesus died to create a community of merciful men and women. What a powerful impact a “merciful” church will have in our world at this time?

Mercy is hard to do—we tend to struggle with it and often against it.

Remember the story of the Good Samaritan who passed by on the other side? First a priest, then a Levite. The religious people didn't have time, didn't care enough, or were afraid to get involved. 

A man despised by so many (including priests and Levites)—a Samaritan—showed mercy, bandaged the man's wounds, poured on the oil and wine, then put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn where he paid for the room and care out of his own pocket.

“Who is my neighbor?” the lawyer asked. And Jesus told that great story. When he concluded the story, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robber?” The Lawyer answered, “The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:25-37).

Mercy is nothing more than meeting the needs of those around us with the resources God has placed in our hand. Mercy is not an organization or a program. It is people caring enough to get involved.

Some in our church have the spiritual gift of mercy and are exceptionally good at seeing the needs around the, feeling compassion for those in need, and moving to meet those needs. 

Yet mercy is to be characteristic of all Christians! There is a sense in which all of us are to be “mercy people!” 

Jesus said: 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

God is rich in mercy (Titus 3:5). When we receive by faith the mercy with which God treats us, that mercy will flow through us to others!

To get closer to God and learn more about His wondrous gifts for you, join us at the 11 a.m. Sabbath Service. I’ll look for you and your family!

Your servant,

Duff