MERCY  by Jim Fox

   Hebrew - hesedh = kindness, raham = bowels, hanan = gracious

   Greek - eleos = kindness, oiktirmos = compassion

   Forbearance from inflicting punishment upon an adversary or a
law-breaker.

   That compassion which causes one to help the weak, the sick or the
poor.

   Showing mercy is one of the cardinal virtues of a true Christian
(James 2:1-13) and is one of the determinants of God's treatment to us.
Christian mercy is a part of love, longsuffering, gentleness and
goodness. God's mercy toward sinful man was shown most clearly and
fully in His giving of His beloved Son to die in our place; and our
Lord's mercy enabled Him to make the awful sacrifice (Romans 5:8).

   Grace must come before Mercy. Only those who have been forgiven can
be blessed (given mercy).What is the difference between Grace and
Mercy? Grace is not deserving what we get. Mercy is not getting what we
deserve.

   In Romans 12:1 Paul says that it is because of the Mercies of God
that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, as our reasonable service.

   Verses that characterize Mercy: Gen 39:21-23, Prison keeper to
Joseph Josh 6:25, Joshua to Rahab Judges 1:23-26, Israel to man of
Bethel 1 Sam 24:10-13,17, David to Saul Other verses: 2 Sam 22:26;
Psalm 37:25,26; Psalm 85:10; Prov 3:3; Prov 11:17; Prov 14:21,22; Hos
4:1; Mic 6:8; Matt 5:7; Matt 23:23; Luke 6:36; Rom 12:8; Col 3:12,13;
Jas 2:13.

   Sources: The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary Nave's Topical
Bible Vine's Expository Dictionary

   Contributed by The Manna System

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