Give mercy a chance

By The NewsDay | Mar. 9, 2013 | 4 Min read

In the process of advancing and progressing in life, we often come across people that cross our path.

Sermon of the Week with Pastor Erasmus Makarimayi

Due to philosophical differences, our comfort and peace usually get disturbed. It is thus advisable to be filled with the Holy Spirit to develop an internal defence shield to repel outside negative forces.

It is inevitable for a day to pass without either being hurt, disappointed, betrayed or angered. It is our duty to rebuff for no one can hurt us without our permission. Be saturated with the love, kindness, mercy and all manner of godliness that negative and destructive outside forces will hit a brick wall.

Before you act give mercy a chance to speak to your inner ears and treat others the way you want to be treated.

You have a choice to be merciful to those that cross your path. You can be wronged intentionally or unintentionally. You may be duped or swindled big time that you may feel like retaliating. Scriptures make it clear that no one is perfect; everyone is susceptible to be on the wrong side. We, therefore, need to show mercy to others.

In the fifth beatitude in Matthew 5:7, Jesus teaches thus, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” When your perceived enemy hurts you, think of mercy before you call for her/his hanging for you may require the same mercy one day. Sometimes we have been so harsh in our judgement of others when it is within our power to be merciful and forgive.

I have seen and heard people criticising others as far as supplying the equipment for digging the grave for their living opponents, competitors or enemies. Don’t do that; spare them so that you may obtain mercy during your time of need.

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Without breaking the law, there are people that are in authority and can stay the punishment that is supposed to be meted out. Sometimes those in authority go to the extreme to show their muscle and use a machine gun to kill a bird. I don’t support insubordination, wrong work ethics or laziness at work, but if you are the boss you can warn your subordinate before you dismiss her/him.

You can give your tenant a grace period and give your debtor some more time to look for the money. It was at Jesus’ disposal to call heaven to annihilate His attackers, but He chose mercy. Real power is when you choose to forego your rights for the sake of the vulnerable and needy.

Matthew 18:23-35 records the story of a person whose debt was cancelled, but failed to show the same to his debtor. This cancelled out the mercy he had initially obtained and was resultantly punished. Mercy is not purchased, but at the price of mercy itself; and even this price is a gift of the mercy of God.

What mercy can those vindictive persons expect, who forgive nothing and are always ready to improve every advantage they have of avenging themselves?

Whatever mercy a man shows to another, God will take care to show the same to him. Psalm 18:25a supports this, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful.” We are thus called to be like God our Father as recorded in Luke 6:36, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

In this world we rest on the principle of Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Don’t just think of this verse in terms of money alone, but love, kindness, generosity and mercy.

Mercy is actually one of the weightier matters. Matthew 23:23 says, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone.” Exercise restraint when you scheme the destruction of your neighbour. She/he may come to your rescue one day. It may not necessarily be for you, but your children and grandchildren.

As you continue to show mercy to the widow, widowers, orphan and destitute, remember all those that are crying in the jails of criticism, judgment and punishment. Before you join the bandwagon demanding the resignation of the manager, think of mercy.

Don’t be carried away by emotions and sign the papers for the execution of your enemy. Give them a second chance and an option to mend their ways. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you so that the love of God will repel the machinations of the enemy and treat others with respect.

Wrongdoers don’t remain in the wrong banking on the mercy of the innocent. Perpetrators of evil should shun it. Let us create an equitable environment. Allow mercy to go before you bearing in mind that you are going somewhere.

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