But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. – Matthew 12:7, King James Version (KJV)

Mercy is a character trait that many of us lack. Rather than being ready to help others in their time of need, to spare others from our criticism or ridicule, and to forgive others when they sin against us, we stand ready to attack whenever the opportunity arises. We make fun of the idiosyncrasies of others. We verbally pounce on others when they make the slightest mistake. We engage in petty gossip, and we mock those whose looks or character traits don’t fit into our mold. We do these things at church, and we do these things at school. We do them at home, and we do them at work. We carry our critical nature with us everywhere we go, and we burden our Lord when we exchange the mercy He would have us display for the vitriol [harsh and angry words] of our wicked, judgmental hearts.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 12:7 and in Luke 6:36 that, as the God of mercy, He expects His children to exhibit mercy. The Amplified Bible defines “mercy” in verse 7 as a “readiness to help, to spare, to forgive.” In Luke 6:36, the Amplified Bible defines being merciful as being “sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate.” In order to be these things, all we need do is remember God’s admonition to love others as we love ourselves. Do you like to be accepted as you are? Then accept others as they are. Do you like to be treated fairly? Then treat others fairly? Do you like to be understood and respected? Then strive to understand and to respect others. We all desire to be valued by others in these and other ways, so make the effort to value others as you would want to be valued. When you do, the character trait of mercy will automatically follow, and The Lord will be pleased in that!