Article June 27, 2016 Issue

Mercy, needed for civil discourse

Barbara J. Presler

After recently watching a debate on television where warring politicians lacked courtesy in civil discourse, I went to the Bible looking for answers. The significance of the word mercy, mentioned many times throughout the Bible from the Old to the New Testament, was relevant to me in this instance.

For example, the Bible tells how David, who later became King of Israel, countered the hostility and direct antagonism of King Saul with mercy even when he had the opportunity to kill him (see I Samuel 24:1–18). The beneficence and forgiveness in David’s character are brought out in his words to Saul: “Mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed” (verse 10). And Psalm 23 gives reassurance in times of conflict: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (verses 5, 6).

This evidence of the benevolent love of God for man was a forerunner of the example set by Christ Jesus, who centuries later met hatred with love and mercifully healed sin, sickness, and death. Christians have a requirement to follow his example.

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