James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Mercy - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - 1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

“Overlook injuries or treat the offender better than he deserves.”

Doesn’t God treat us better than we deserve? God expects us to do the same toward others who offend us. We have a natural tendency to keep score and have an unforgiving spirit.

The above verse says to be ‘full of mercy and good fruits.’  We are not to show just a little mercy. If we are filled with the wisdom of the Spirit of God, we will be full of mercy as well as that which accompanies mercy: purity, peace, gentleness, etc.

We may not be responsible for the actions of others, but we are responsible for our reactions.

Zechariah 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:



Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry