WHEN BEING MERCIFUL IS WRONG

Dearly Beloved, WHEN BEING MERCIFUL IS WRONG “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21 NKJV). I went to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery to withdraw some cash recently. When I got to the place, there was a long queue of people waiting for their turn to use the available machines. I joined the queue and some other persons later queued behind me as each of us was using the machines in turn. A lady behind me cited another lady she knows who was using one of the machines. She called her, and the other lady beckoned on her. The lady in the queue went to the lady using the machine and they started chatting. As the other lady completed her transaction, the first lady used the opportunity to start her own transaction while they continued their chatting. Other people in the queue started protesting for the trick the ladies used to make one of them use the machine when it was not her turn. The two ladies did not say anything until both of them completed their transactions. As they were leaving the ATM gallery, people continue to rain words of abuse on both of them. One of the ladies replied, “Is it wrong to be merciful?” Although, other people replied her, but I was pondering within me, “Is it wrong to be merciful?” When does being merciful become wrong? Was that act a merciful act or an unfair act? Can one be merciful at the detriment of other people? Many other questions came to my mind as I made use of the ATM and left the place. This scenario is a good example of what is called situational ethics. I know that many people will support it while many other people (including me) will frown at it and condemn it. What does the Bible say about favouritism and other similar acts like partiality, nepotism, discrimination and the likes? Apart from the fact that the God we serve is not a partial God neither does He show favouritism (see Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; John 3:16; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25), the Bible sternly speaks against favouritism and other similar acts. Here are some of the biblical injunctions: “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:15 NKJV. Also see Deuteronomy 16:19). “To show partiality is not good...” (Proverbs 28:21 NKJV). “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1 Timothy 5:21 NKJV). “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.... If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:1, 8-9 NKJV). “These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment” (Proverbs 24:23 NKJV). While it is good to be kind and merciful to other people, beware that your kindness and mercifulness does not turn to favouritism at the detriment of others. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that the Lord will help you not to turn your mercifulness to favouritism at the detriment of others.