Some things in life should go without saying, but there is always the occasional person who just needs a not-so-subtle reminder. Here are a few examples of what I am talking about. These are actual warning labels:
On a propane blowtorch: ‘Never use while sleeping.’
On a batman costume: ‘Warning: Cape does not enable user to fly.’
On a portable stroller: ‘Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage.’
And finally, on a laser pointer: ‘Do not look into laser with REMAINING eye.’
The really sad part about each of these is that while it seems pretty obvious to you and me, there must have been at least one person who did it!
I was thinking about these as I was recently studying the New Testament. I thought that it would sure be nice to have warning labels attached to some specific verses—because they are not always quite so obvious.
While studying the beatitudes, I wondered what kind of label would accompany ‘blessed are the merciful’? Well, come to find out, it actually does come with a warning label and it’s found in the 18th chapter of Matthew, commonly known as The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.
This parable was given after Peter asked; “how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?”
Of course, Christ said in response; “I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven”’ He then told of the servant who was forgiven of his debts by the king, but would not likewise forgive his fellow servant.
This warning label is then given, starting at verse 32: ‘Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all thy debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Seems pretty obvious to you and I, but not so to that one unmerciful servant—he didn’t get it, did he?
The real trick with this beatitude is to become LESS like the clueless servant—more merciful. Unfortunately, there is no step-by-step guide on how to go about this. I think a lot of us may not even know that we need to do better.
May I suggest four simple things you can do THIS WEEK to help you become more merciful:
Take a few minutes every day to pray for your enemies (or at least those who have offended you in some way). Matthew 5:44; “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
Take time to honestly listen to your friends and coworkers. James 1:19; “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
Practice seeing others as the Savior would. “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16)
Finally, actively look for opportunities to show mercy. The more you start looking for these opportunities, the more you will find them.
Good luck and much mercy this week.
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