"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Matthew 5:7

Let’s consider what mercy is. One of my favorite words is “kindness.” I remember a teaching video by R.C. Sproul on the fruit of the Spirit, namely: kindness. If I remember correctly, he said, “Kindness is not easy to define, but we all know when we have been treated kindly.” That is certainly true, especially in our increasingly angry, rude, and selfish culture.

Being treated kindly means being treated respectfully. Gently. With compassion and genuine care. Being kind means selflessly putting the other person ahead of ourselves.

And who is the arch-typical example of kindness? Jesus, of course. As those who have been treated kindly by Him, what are we to do and why? Treat others with kindness because we are to be like our Savior in every way, not the least of which includes kindness. Read Paul’s words on this matter of being kind as Jesus, and because has been kind to us:

Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [And who supplies the pattern for such kindness?] 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…

I rather hope that none of us are overtly nasty and generally unkind, but I’ll bet I am not the only one who exhibits flashes of unkindness with sharp words, an impatient tone, and telling facial expressions. If so, join me in asking for forgiveness, praying earnestly about kindness, and seeking to be more intentional about being kind. May we all practice first in our homes and in our church. Being merciful just might begin with efforts to be more kind.