Wisdom is Merciful

Chuckle: "Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again!"

Good Quote: "Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see; That mercy to others show, That mercy show to me." --Alexander Pope

A WISE PERSON IS MERCIFUL

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17 NIV). "It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30 NIV).

Those who have been granted divine wisdom are not simply possessed by pity and sympathy but are actively compassionate. They are inwardly disposed to every thing that is kind and good, both to ease the discomfort of those who are in need and to forgive those who may offend them. They see and love people as our Lord sees and loves them. They are Christ-like in their understanding and application of mercy.

The wise Christian loves people in spite of their mistakes and shortcomings. They don't constantly remind others of their deficiencies and errors. If we take such a legalistic and critical approach toward people, it will sour our fellowship with them and will hinder others in their growth toward maturity in love and mercy. Being merciful is to show sensitivity to the feelings of others.

The wise Christian just forgives people and says "God loves them and I'm going to love them." The writer of Proverbs 17:9 (NLT) says, "Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends." Picking at the faults of those around us will never build great relationships.

"It is our misery that calls forth God's mercy. A parent knows how this is. When a child is suffering from a severe cold with a sore throat, runny nose, severe congestion, and assorted aches and pains, and all he can do is throw his arms around your neck and cry -- what does this evoke in you as a parent? It awakens your pity, and you reach out and try to relieve the child's distress in any way you possibly can. Why? Because his misery has called forth your mercy." --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching; Edited by Michael P. Green

Similarly, the plight and distress of others should evoke all the love, mercy, and wisdom that God has placed within our hearts. Jesus said to us, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34 NIV). "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse