Imparting Mercy

In this essay, MERCY is the withholding of merited judgment.

All who have the indwelling life of Christ within have received God’s mercy and His Love. We all have received The Measure of faith (the faith of Jesus Christ). Since we have received mercy (1 Peter 2:10), we are enabled to impart mercy, if it is our will to do so.

The concepts of mercy and forgiveness are brought together in a parable about the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 18:23-35. It is interesting to note that the parable handles “offenses” in terms of finances - debts that required payment. Unpaid debts are a continuing source of offense. Once the debt is paid or forgiven, the debt record in the account is removed. The forgiveness of the debt is an expense that is willingly absorbed by the forgiver!

This parable was given in response to a question posed by Peter regarding a relationship infected by a state of persistent, chronic offense. The conclusion of the parable starts in verse 32:

Matthew 18:32, 33

32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’

As the wicked servant had received mercy, he was enabled to impart mercy to his fellow servant. The basis and motivation for imparting mercy was the mercy that had been imparted to him. In our relationships, mercy should beget mercy.

What made the servant “wicked”? It wasn’t his past debt, which had been forgiven. It was his withholding mercy from his fellow servant.

The apostle Peter was incredulous about this measure of forgiveness. Those of us who have experienced difficult relationships when offensives are chronic and continuous may conclude that this is an impossible standard. Yet, God is ready to answer this sense of helplessness. Now you can experience the personal power of God in your life to accomplish HIS will.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10

[9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It is only “natural” for a human to be much too weak to maintain a state of mercy and forgiveness within an offensive relationship. Yet, because of the indwelling life of Christ, the power of God overcomes that human weakness.

I write this essay as a witness, having endured such relationships that span years at a time. God granted me the strength to endure and the guidance of how to conduct myself, day by day. Be willing to impart mercy to others and forgive! You will see the power of God come to pass.

Romans 12:8 …the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (ESV)

2026 Keith Radcliffe