Christian Mercy Explained and Enforced # 2

Christian Mercy Explained and Enforced # 2

2. The PROPERTIES of Christian Mercy.

1. Mercy is supported and directed by the principles of the New Testament, and not merely by the force of natural feeling. It will be remembered that I am now speaking of Christian mercy - or, in other words, of that compassion which is represented in the Word of God, as the work of the Divine Spirit, which supposes the previous existence of the Christian character, and which is urged by the considerations peculiar to the gospel. The renewed mind of a believer is represented, as the garden of the Lord; and all the virtues of sanctification as the fruits have been planted in it.

Paul expressly declares that though a man gives all his goods to feed the poor, and has not love - that is, love to God, leading to a proper regard of our fellow-creatures - he is nothing. Many have deluded themselves on this subject by the dreadful perversion of a passage of inspired truth, which utters a sentiment the most remote from that which it has been made to promulgate. "Charity," say these people, "shall cover the multitude of sins." Now, by charity, here, is meant love; and the sentiment contained in the expression is nothing more than that love will conceal with a friendly covering, instead of publishing to the world, a multitude of imperfections in those we regard. This is its true meaning. If it meant that God accepts those people who whose alms-deeds outweigh their crimes - it would justify all the vile and horrid hypocrisy of the darkest age of popery, when to build a church or found a monastery was declared by lying priests to the murderer or adulterer, to be a sufficient expiation for all the crimes of the most impure or bloody life; for it lesser acts of benevolence will cover lesser sins, there are no vices so flagrant which may not be covered on this principle, by an increase of munificence.

Let it not be said, that the motive of a merciful act is of no consequence, provided the compassion is felt, and the relief communicated. It is no matter what the motive which dictated the act; whether the doer of it had the glory of God in view, or whether he was in infidel. But our actions sustain other relations, which make it of infinite and eternal consequence under what motives, and upon what principles, they are performed. The question is, what influence our conduct will have, not upon the comfort of others, but upon our own eternal destiny; not what may be demanded by the world, but what may be and is required by that Omniscient Being, to whom the very soul is an open page. In short, the question is not what constitutes worldly morality, but what is essential to pure evangelical religion.

We observe then, that true Christian mercy - that which will be accepted in the sight of God, and which will have connection with our celestial happiness, is exercised in designed obedience to God's command, in express limitation of His conduct, and with an earnest desire to promote His glory. "Be merciful, as your Father in heaven is merciful." This disposition is cherished by a devout contemplation of that mercy which shines from heaven upon the human race through the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. With other men, mercy is merely a feeling - with the Christian it is a principle. The Christian thinks that for one needy person to compassionate another; that if God has pitied him as to deliver his soul from eternal misery, the least spark of gratitude must lead him to relieve the needs of his fellow humans. The Christian desires to honor God. They expect, by deeds of mercy, to merit eternal life; but the Christian depends upon the righteousness of Christ.

Christian mercy displays tenderness of MANNER. It is like that charity which is kind and resembles that goodness of our heavenly Father, which gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not."

3. Christian mercy adds the greatest COURAGE IN ACTION - to the greatest tenderness of feeling.  What would the needy do if there were no other pity than this in the world, and no other benefactors than these to be found? But true Christian mercy consults not her pleasure, but the calls of duty, and flies to the scene of need and suffering, where, amidst filth, and poverty, and disease, comforts a human being to whom he is anxious to convey the comforts of one world, and the hopes of another. This is mercy!

4. Christian mercy unites a propensity to relieve ALL misery, on its own account.

5. Christian mercy should be characterized by DILIGENCE. It is said of our Lord, that "he ever went about doing good." and the history of His life proves the truth of it. 

6. Christian mercy should be attended with SELF-DENIAL. We must stand prepared to make sacrifices, and to endure hardships. Did our Lord, without effort and without humiliation, show mercy to all? Can that man, who will not make the smallest sacrifice in mercy's cause, persuade himself that he is a disciple of this merciful, self-denying Redeemer?

7. Remember your own dependence on Divine mercy, both for all the comforts of this life, and all the blessings of the life to come. "God be merciful to me a sinner," is the humble petition which best suits our character in every approach to His throne. Be merciful, in every other case of human misery, to the extent of your ability. Many will bless you for your benevolence. And even if gratitude had left the earth, your witness is in heaven, and your reward is on high. A day is approaching when, not a cup of cold water administered to the parched lips of wretchedness, and in imitation of the mercy of God, shall be either forgotten, or overlooked, by Him who has the destiny of man at His disposal!

~John Angell James~

(The End)