The Path to Perfect Peace – Extend Mercy to Others: Mercy to the Wicked

Key Verse

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

Short Reflection

Let’s repay evil with good by extending mercy to the wicked. We want to become more like Jesus, don’t we? Like me, you may find yourself failing at the ‘being merciful’ feelings and deeds modelled by Jesus in everyday practise.

Matthew reminds us that the merciful are blessed [Matthew 5:7]. From the cross we witness Jesus’ mercy to the thief being crucified at his side. Yes, showing mercy and extending grace cost Jesus His life. There was no other way for the thief to meet Jesus in eternity.

To extend mercy to others we must become more like Jesus and die to self. The purposeful practise of mercifully loving our enemies means death to self. Matthew 5 ends with a promise to us of blessing and reward to those who delight in being like Jesus! With our eyes on Him, we can spread mercy far and wide as His gift to a hurting world.

This is the second in the “Extend Mercy to Others” series of blog posts and is submitted by our close friend, Kathi Cohen, who is the Co-Founder, Secretary, and Operations Manager of Moringa Associates in Australia.