Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest wa going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.'”
As God’s children, we are to be like Him in showing mercy toward others. Mercy is an active word that indicates action, so we should demonstrate mercy by our actions of love and compassion. The Bible says that God is rich in mercy. He demonstrated this truth by sending His own sin to die in our place. We could never have done enough to be declared righteous before a holy God. Instead, God forgives us and cleanses us from sin through the shed blood of His Son. Therefore, those of us who receive such great mercy should extend God’s mercy through our actions toward others.
Reluctant Retiree 