The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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THE GIFT OF MERCY (Rom. 12:8)<br />
Purpose: Manifestation <strong>of</strong> love to <strong>the</strong> “undeserving”<br />
Definition: “<strong>The</strong> special ability that God gives to certain members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> Christ to<br />
feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals, both Christian and non-Christian, who<br />
suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into<br />
cheerfully-done deeds which reflect Christ’s love and alleviate <strong>the</strong> suffering.” 21<br />
Description: <strong>The</strong> verb “show mercy” can also be translated “to pity,” “to have compassion,“<br />
“to show gracious favor to.” <strong>The</strong> thrust <strong>of</strong> this phrase is action. People with <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> mercy not<br />
only have pity and compassion, sympathy and empathy; <strong>the</strong>y demonstrate <strong>the</strong>se feelings with<br />
deeds. Mercy is love manifested in concrete action. In <strong>the</strong> gospels when people cried, “Have<br />
mercy on me” <strong>the</strong>y were asking for performance, not just pity. When <strong>the</strong> two blind men cried to<br />
Jesus for mercy <strong>the</strong>y expected Him to heal <strong>the</strong>m which He did (Mt. 9:27-30). When <strong>the</strong> Canaanite<br />
woman with <strong>the</strong> demon-possessed daughter came to Jesus asking for mercy she was requesting<br />
that she be delivered (Mt. 15:21-28). When <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> epileptic son came to Jesus<br />
appealing for mercy he expected Jesus to heal his son (Mt. 17:14).<br />
<strong>The</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> mercy is <strong>the</strong> capacity to demonstrate sensitivity to human need with acts <strong>of</strong> love. It<br />
is understanding people who are in distress and a desire to remove hurts and bring healing. People<br />
with this gift are drawn to people in need. <strong>The</strong>y naturally gravitate toward people who are<br />
suffering and in need <strong>of</strong> help.<br />
While <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> exhortation helps people mainly with words <strong>of</strong> love, <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> mercy helps<br />
people mainly through deeds <strong>of</strong> love. Those especially in need <strong>of</strong> mercy are <strong>the</strong> ill, retarded,<br />
prisoners, blind, poor, aged, handicapped, shut-ins, mentally retarded, <strong>the</strong> misfits <strong>of</strong> society.<br />
Basically it would include anyone in need.<br />
Although all are to “show mercy” (Mt. 5:7; 23:23; 25:35-45; Lk. 10:25-37; Gal. 6:10;<br />
I <strong>The</strong>ss. 5:14; Heb. 13:16; Jas. 2:15-16), everyone does not have <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> mercy (Rom. 12:8;<br />
I Cor. 12:29-30).<br />
Prerequisite<br />
With cheerfulness (Rom. 12:8). Mercy is to be shown not grudgingly, merely out <strong>of</strong> a sense <strong>of</strong><br />
duty, but joyfully. Attitudes are easily caught. If <strong>the</strong> person showing mercy manifests an attitude<br />
<strong>of</strong> gloom and melancholy, <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r person, though helped in material ways, still will be all <strong>the</strong>