Our heart becomes merciful toward our neighbor, when in our hearts we confess our own sins to God and believe that he has forgiven all our sins as well as all our neighbor’s sins. Then we will remember that God has also created our neighbor in his own image and has also redeemed him. And we will remember that God’s grace in Christ is also our neighbor‘s only source of comfort when his sins cause him distress.
James 3:9-10: Therewith (the tongue) bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Eph. 4:32: Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Rom. 14:15: Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Assignment: Read Matt. 25:35: Christ’s words to believers on Judgment Day.
