p. 1215 | Be Ye Therefore Merciful by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 18, 1913

“Be Ye Therefore Merciful”

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

Mercy is an attribute of God. He is its author. Back of mercy is love. Without love mercy cannot exist. And then to show mercy there must be some one undeserving upon whom to bestow it. Otherwise it would not be mercy.

We all have sinned; we all need mercy. God is merciful, and he delights in showing mercy. He has even told us so in the law itself: “And showing mercy unto thousands of them [generations] that love me, and keep my commandments.” This world offers God the opportunity for showing mercy, and there are abundant opportunities granted us for showing mercy. How strange that we should delight ourselves in the fruit of God’s mercy, and yet shun, as we all often do, the showing of mercy to those who need ours! We enjoy the fruit, but many times miss the benefits of the experience by which the fruit is produced.

To illustrate, in the neighborhood is a poor family. They are unfortunate. They do not seem to know how to plan their affairs so that they are not always in need. They are often sick. By some they may be considered not very bright, because they do not do differently. Somehow, by common consent, they are ignored. They may have moved in better circles, but that day is now past. They are isolated. They know it; they feel it; in their hearts they resent it. But what are they to do? Perhaps nearly all in the neighborhood, including the poor family, profess to be Christians. They go to church every week. They all hear the same gospel truths, yet here is a chasm.

A large-hearted, motherly soul appears upon the scene. She takes in the situation. She spurns the caste she sees on exhibition. Seeing a need, she recognizes her God-given duty; and regardless of the fine-spun distinctions of modern society rules, her sympathy is drawn out for the neglected ones, and, to use a common phrase, she “rolls up her sleeves” and goes to work for them. Her heart is large enough to love them without loving her friends any the less. She somehow has the discernment to place her interest and love where they are most needed. Her old friends may be neglected a bit; they may even throw out the hint that she does not call upon them very often. Some may even drop her from their circle. But what of that? “They are able to care for themselves and find plenty of friends to their liking,” she reasons, and she proposes not to shun the poor family until they are again on their feet, in a measure, at least.

So she works on for them. She is not ashamed to be seen on the street with the poor woman. She can go to church with her, and sit with her after she gets there. In other words, in her heart she does not despise the one whom she knows to be in need, and whom she has really learned to love; for by this time she has dug down into the treasures of these neglected hearts and discovered gold, real gold, which long has been concealed, but which she knows God sees and highly values.

More than likely this dear, practical, sensible Christian has often read, yes, studied, in her private devotions, the few words leading up to the ones which say, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Here they are: “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6: 32-36.

Thousands of professed Christians are withering up because they pass by as unimportant these living lessons left us by the Master. He lived them literally while he was here. He had compassion upon the poor; he visited them and became their friend. He healed them, and blessed them with his counsel and teaching. He was not ashamed to associate with them and share their simple hospitality. And for this one thing more than anything else,—this breaking of the Pharisees’ caste,—he was hated by the teachers of that time. Their exclusive caste was broken in upon by his going among the poor, the supposedly forsaken of God. But Jesus preferred the companionship and sincere love of these neglected ones to that of the self-satisfied, proud, conceited persons who thought themselves superior to others.

God still loves judgment and mercy. Many will go into the kingdom who are not perhaps so wonderfully wise or brilliant or talented, as men count such things, but who have shown mercy to the poor, who have taken a loving interest in them and helped them in their need. Such have manifested the character of the Father and the Son, and are numbered among heaven’s most valued treasures. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”

“Be ye therefore merciful.”