Question 1

What is mercy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 103:8-10The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.Isaiah 63:9In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.Lamentations 3:22The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.Micah 7:18Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.1 Peter 1:3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,Mercy is more than exemption from the punishment we deserve for our sins. It is receiving an undeserved gift—salvation, the greatest undeserved gift. The sacrifice that Jesus made for us, the sinners who rejected him, shows us mercy in its most powerful form. Now, we can receive eternal life if we only accept him.

Question 2

What is the source of mercy?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 34:6The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.Psalm 116:5How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!2 Corinthians 1:3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.Ephesians 2:4-5God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.God is the source of mercy. The mercy we show others reflects his mercy. When we are merciful, we reveal godliness, for all mercy originates with God.

Question 3

To whom does God show mercy?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:7“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”God promises his mercy to those who extend mercy to others. When we offer mercy, we will receive mercy.Acts 2:21“But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”God is merciful to all who genuinely seek him.Deuteronomy 13:18“The Lord your God will be merciful only if you listen to his voice and keep all his commands that I am giving you today, doing what pleases him.”Psalm 103:11His unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.God is merciful to those with sincere hearts who respect and honor him. Mercy is a reward for faithful obedience.Psalm 103:8-10The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.God offers mercy to sinners. None deserve God’s mercy, and yet he gives it gladly. Let us thank God for his patience and mercy and receive it gratefully.Exodus 33:19The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”Matthew 18:32-33“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’”We may not understand why God is merciful to some people, but we should remember the times we have received undeserved mercy ourselves, and be glad.Psalm 119:132Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.Matthew 5:7“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”Luke 1:50“He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”Romans 9:15-16God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.Ultimately, God chooses who will receive his mercy. We cannot earn it. We are, literally, at his mercy.

Question 4

Why does God show me mercy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 5:7-8Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.God shows mercy to guide us along the right paths for our lives and to keep our enemies from defeating us. We could never deserve to enter God’s presence or receive his help; but because of his love and mercy, he offers these blessings just the same.Psalm 31:7I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.Psalm 59:16As for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.God shows us mercy in order to give us joy.Psalm 86:15You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.God shows mercy to demonstrate his deep and unfailing love for us.

Question 5

In what ways does God show me mercy?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 103:3-5He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!James 1:17Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.God showers numerous acts of mercy on us each day. Anything good in our lives is from God’s merciful hand.Exodus 34:6The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.”Proverbs 16:6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.Ephesians 2:4-5God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)God shows us mercy by being slow to get angry over our sins, by offering us eternal life and salvation, and by showing us unfailing love no matter what we have done against him.Titus 3:4-8When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.By God’s love we were given the free gift of salvation even though we didn’t deserve it. Because of God’s mercy, we have forgiveness and freedom from guilt. Because of God’s kindness, we have been blessed beyond our wildest dreams because he has secured us a perfect life for all eternity

Question 6

How can I show mercy?

Accepted Answer

Colossians 3:12-13Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.We can show mercy by forgiving others just as God has forgiven us.Matthew 18:33“‘Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’”We can show mercy by being kind to others and giving them the benefit of the doubt, even when they don’t deserve it. We didn’t deserve God’s mercy, but he offered it anyway. In light of that, how could we who have been forgiven so much withhold a little mercy from others? Even when others don’t deserve it, God calls us to be merciful.Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.We can show mercy by humbly doing what is right. When we follow God sincerely, our lives will overflow with merciful acts.Zechariah 7:9“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another.”We can show mercy by judging fairly and honestly, and by showing kindness to others.James 3:17The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.Merciful actions are the result of wisdom from God. We can ask God for his wisdom so we will know how to share his mercy with others.

Question 7

Does God expect me to be merciful?

Accepted Answer

Micah 6:8No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.Matthew 12:7“But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’”Matthew 18:33“‘Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’”Jude 1:21-23Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.Yes, God expects us to show mercy. We must show mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.

Question 8

How long will God’s mercy last?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 89:2Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.Lamentations 3:22The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.Hosea 2:19“I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.”Luke 1:50“He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.”God’s mercy toward those who love him will last for all eternity. God’s mercy toward those who reject him will last only until Judgment Day.