A characteristic of God is that he is merciful and compassionate (Exod 34:6; Neh 9:17; Ps 103:13; 2 Cor 1:3; Eph 2:4). This characteristic showed itself clearly in Jesus Christ who, though God, lived in the world as a human being and demonstrated the mercy that God has towards a needy human race (Matt 9:36; 14:14; Luke 7:13). The most striking demonstration of divine mercy is God’s great act of salvation in saving sinners from the just consequences of their sins and giving them forgiveness and eternal life (Num 14:18-19; Ps 86:5; Isa 63:9; Rom 2:4; 11:32; Titus 3:4-5; 1 Peter 2:3).
Even in the rituals of the Old Testament, the sinners were dependent entirely on God’s mercy for their acceptance with God. It was God’s mercy, not their religious acts, that saved them. For this reason God’s throne was called the mercy seat. It was the place where God symbolically sat and where he mercifully accepted repentant sinners into his presence (Exod 25:21-22; cf. Heb 4:16; see TABERNACLE). Those who claim to be God’s people must also be merciful and compassionate (Luke 6:36; 10:36-37; Col 3:12; 1 Peter 2:10).
This means more than that they should have pity and concern for others. They must actually do something (James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17-19). In particular they should give help to those in society who are liable to be disadvantaged, such as orphans, widows, aliens, the persecuted, the afflicted and the poor (Deut 14:28-29; 24:19; Prov 19:17; Micah 6:8; Zech 7:9-10; Luke 10:29-37; Rom 12:8; James 1:27). They should show mercy even to those who annoy or oppose them (2 Kings 6:21-22; Luke 6:35; Rom 12:20; Eph 4:32). Jesus’ parables and other teachings are a constant reminder that God takes notice of the way people treat others. God promises that he will have mercy upon those who practise mercy to others (Matt 5:7; 25:34-40). Those who show no mercy to others will receive no mercy from God in the day of judgment (Matt 18:21-35; Luke 16:24-26; James 2:13). (See also GRACE; LOVE.)