Mercy Needed

Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
 
MERCY is one of God’s character traits. Here is a definition from McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia: “Mercy is a virtue that inspires us with compassion for others, and inclines us to assist them in their needs. The works of mercy will be acceptable to God as Christ has promised us in Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. It is not enough that mercy comes from human motives, but it must be from God. Mercy must come from truly holy motives. In Scripture mercy and truth are commonly joined together.”
   Maybe the most common expression of mercy is in Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (KJV) Other versions say “goodness and love” (NIV) or “goodness and unfailing love” (NLT) Mercy is the result of a goodness that comes from God’s love.
   Jude says that mercy must be our response to those who have doubts of Jesus’ teaching and to those who do not believe. Jude places these people in three categories.
   First, goodness must motivate us to show mercy to those who doubt. We’ve all experienced some level of doubt in God’s Word and his magnificent love for us. Sometimes we have trouble seeing him as we walk through dark valleys or watch loved ones suffer. When people express doubt regarding any aspect of God, we have the opportunity to extend mercy to their hearts. God’s mercy will grant us patience to help them understand what the Bible teaches regarding their questions.
   A second group to whom we extend mercy is those who are believing the false teachers. We must snatch others from the fire and save them with the Bible’s truth. Bible knowledge is necessary to douse the flames of unbelief that may have been ignited in some hearts and minds. Sometimes it requires another to join you, so you can help people understand God’s truth.
   The third group is those who are corrupted with evil and deny God’s Word. But Jude issues a warning. As we speak to those who deny God’s truth our mercy must be mixed with fear. This is a caution to be wary of their motives. Some are very persuasive in their arguments. We do not want to become caught in their traps of deceit stained by corrupted flesh. Sometimes, we must turn from those whose throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. (Romans 3:13 quoting Psalms 3:9) As we know, there are many who will never listen to the truth. Our work is to tell the truth. The Spirit will use our words in God’s will. We cannot be so consumed by unbelievers that they diminish our zest for the Lord.
           Be grateful and ever mindful of God’s rich mercy toward you. Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. Be merciful. Share God’s grace with those who doubt or deny his truth. Perhaps you will be the instrument of his rich mercy to save that person.