Do you know that God wants you to be a channel of mercy to others? That is the justification of His message in our theme scripture. What does this responsibility entail? Firstly it means you should not always insist on judgment for repayment of people's faults. James 2:13 (NIV) declares, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment". While discipline and punishments help shape people's behavior and promote order, it should never mask the necessity of mercy. Be well balanced in your life to carry both mercy and discipline. If you only insist on discipline and harsh punishment of others, you may unawares become an instrument to destroy others. In this you stop promoting God's righteousness. 2 Corinthians 2:11 says, "For we are not ignorant of Satan's devices". Satan can capitalize on your insistence of punishment and destroy your brothers.

Secondly, mercy deals with a compassionate heart that gets touched with the plight of others and responds positively. In Matthew 9:36 Jesus was moved with compassion upon seeing the crowds that appeared helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 14:14 also records, "And Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick". Compassion drives you into action to help others. You are not excited at the suffering of others. You are moved to help. When you show mercy, you sow seeds of mercy which you will also harvest in life as the theme scripture has said.