And if you have a gift for showing mercy (kindness) to others, do it gladly.
Romans 12:8
ὁ ἐλεῶν, ἐν ἱλαρότητι
the {one mercying} in {cheerfulness, literally hilarity}
Note the subtlety here. Mercy is not actually a gift. It is what we receive from God. We are the ones who are recipients of His mercy. Paul has taken great pains to explain that to us through Romans. We stand by His grace, by His mercy. But we can be channels of that same mercy and grace too. We can pass it on to others. In fact He expects us to do just that.
Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’
Matt 18:33
This comes from the story of the Unforgiving Servant but notice what Jesus said the King said in the story. “Shouldn’t you show your brother the same mercy I showed you?” Oh mercy may not be a gift as we are used to the notion of gifts but it can definitely be shared like a gift. And what’s more we can have mercy freely, with compassion, cheerfully, yay even with hilarity. Be one who shares the mercy you have received from God with those around you hilariously. Cheer the heart of the recipient with the power of your love, forgiveness and laughter and joy. Freely give that which you have received as a gift – namely mercy and grace.
This section has seen Paul mix the normal attribute considered by us to be gifts or giftings from God – namely prophesying, teaching, serving and even encouraging (although this last one most of us would not consider as a gift). To these Paul adds giving, being to fore (leadership) and mercy. It is interesting for the first four gifts the construction is “if [your gift is] [the gift] then concentrate on exercising the gift in the doing of it”. But for the last three gifts the pattern is “the one doing it, do it by doing that action”. Has Paul deliberately changed the grammar? Yes giving, leadership and showing mercy may not be real gifts but it is like Paul is saying treat them as such. Exercise them.
Notice too the context has some of the translators translating the portion as “if . . . be the best you can be.” While literally the text doesn’t say that, that is the intent. In practising your gift be the best gift practitioner of that gift you can be. In exercising the gift, use the gift to the max and astound them.
But don’t forget the other point either. Perhaps Paul’s strongest point. Have the right view of yourself in the exercising of these “gifts” to ensure the body is built up. Don’t lord it over other people. Don’t have too high a view of yourself. Don’t have too low a view of yourself. Be like Goldilocks and look for just the right mix. Where the gifts are concerned we get it wrong when we think of ourselves as being special because we have a certain gift or practise a certain gift. Wrong thinking. THEY ARE GIFTS. You did nothing to earn them. They were given to you; so don’t get proud because you have the gift. The credit ought to go to the giver not the recipient.
We get it wrong too when we have too low a view of ourselves. “Oh I am too lowly and worthless. I have no gifts. Just leave me out, I can’t do anything in the body and have nothing to offer.” Wrong again. Wake up, Grow up, Stand up and find your gift for the benefit of the body and practise it. And in terms of attributes // gifts such as encouragement, giving and mercy you have no excuse. Step out and share them around.
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Mark Twain
Kindness is never wasted. If it has no effect on the receiver, at least it benefits the giver.
Anon