When we show mercy, God gives us grace and builds up our faith in seven ways:
1. We gain a Kingdom perspective. When we see such poverty, suffering and sorrow, we become discontent with sin (in us, in the church and in the world) and begin to long for the coming of the kingdom of God when all things will be made new (and are further motivated to do kingdom work today by warring against the forces of sin). (Revelation 21:1-5)
2. We gain humility. In recognizing need and sin in others, we recognize both our own needs and our inability to meet those needs for ourselves or for others. We recognize that we need Christ. In serving others we humble ourselves and are made low, while others and Christ are exalted. (Philippians 2-3)
3. We grow in faith. When we see people struggling for their daily needs, we recognize that it is only by God’s grace that we have anything in this world or the world to come. We begin to build our foundation on the Rock that is Christ and on nothing else. (2 Samuel 22:3-4)
4. We become a faithful witness. When we love the unlovely, we testify that the gospel is true and the world can’t help but recognize this manifestation of the love of Christ. (Matthew 5:16)
5. We are sustained by God’s grace. When we pour ourselves out in costly service to the poor, God promises to strengthen us and provide abundantly for our every need. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
6. We gain an understanding of unity in Christ. When we reach out to those different than we are, we see the Lord at work binding us together- we see the unity of the church. (Galatians 3:26-28)
7. We begin to worship God. When we serve and love others as Christ loves us we not only have a better appreciation for and gratitude to God (which enhances our public and personal worship) but as we serve we are worshipping. (Romans 12:1-2, James 1:27)
