ALWAYS SOW THE SEED OF MERCY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY MAY 03, 2023.

SUBJECT : ALWAYS SOW THE SEED OF MERCY!

Memory verse: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5 vs 7.)

READ: Matthew 25 vs 31 - 40:

25:31: When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory:

25:32: All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:

25:33: And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

25:34: Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

25:35: For I was an hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

25:36: I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

25:37: Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? or thirsty, and gave You drink?

25:38: When did we see You a stranger, and take You in? or naked, and clothed You?

25:39: Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?

25:40: And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me.’

INTIMATION:

Mercy is an outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. It signifies, in general, to feel sympathy with misery of another, especially manifested in act. Sowing the seed of mercy is manifesting outwardly act of pity, sympathy, or care in the life or affairs of another. Those who do this Jesus said are blessed. Being blessed means being supremely favored, and it is more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s kingdom. It is the experience of hope and joy, independent of outward circumstances. 

In the passage we read today, Jesus here lists six physical conditions of life that represent all aspects of our human service to one another. Those who engage in them, are demonstrating acts of mercy or sowing the seed of mercy in other peoples’ lives. These are services the righteous render to others because God has extended mercy and grace to them. Therefore, humble service to the needs of our fellow man is the manifestation of our inward gratitude for the grace of God. Those who recognize their own spiritual poverty are merciful to others. They sympathize and have pity on others. They thus seek to relieve the suffering of others because God has had mercy on them in relation to their sin. Their mercy will eventually reap mercy from God. 

The parable describes acts of mercy we all can do every day. These acts do not depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence; they are simple acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we cannot overlook such needs of others if truly we are serving God, and are grateful for the grace (unmerited favor) of God in our lives. Also, God demands our personal involvement in caring for others’ needs (Isaiah 58 vs 7).

As Christians, the real evidence of our belief is the way we act. To treat all persons we encounter as if they were Jesus is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words to us: Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, look after the sick, and so on. How well do your actions separate you from pretenders and unbelievers? God will separate His obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers; the obedient followers He called blessed, while in-obedient (pretenders and unbelievers) He will reject, and are cursed. “Depart from Me, you cursed,” would be the worst words one could ever hear. God will show no mercy to those who have shown no mercy in service to their fellow humans in one form of need or the other. 

When an opportunity to show mercy comes your way, never let it slip off your hands. It may be the testing of your obedience by the Lord, especially when you are capable of helping the needy person on your path of life. If you cherish the mercy of God in your life, then show mercy to others God brings your way. Such outward manifestation of pity endears you to the Lord, He blesses you, and it’s counted for you as righteousness.

It’s noteworthy that at death the only thing that follows you to meet with your Creator is your works on earth, either good or bad. All your possessions, wealth, talents, abilities, etc are abandoned here on earth. However, you will give your report to your Creator how you utilized those things He gave you for good works. If you served well with those giftings, according to His will, He will say ‘well done, enter into my rest. Therefore, how well you have served hear on earth is a prerequisite for your admission into God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Abba Father, my utmost heart desire is to serve You appropriately with all You endowed me with. Give me the grace to utilize the endowments for the benefit of others, Your kingdom, and to Your glory, in Jesus’ mighty Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!