Love in Action by showing Mercy:

“Mercy” is the “spiritual ability to effectively comfort and or relieve the suffering believer through spiritual and or physical means.”

We should have a deep heart of compassion toward the suffering which moves us to action to help relieve that suffering. The believer who has the gift of mercy is drawn toward those who are suffering particularly in the physical realm, but also those in general distress.They may be outcast, poor, underprivileged, abused, physically or mentally challenged, shut-tin, hungry, and the like. We should do more than feel pity and compassion,we should act. We should actively seek to relieve the suffering of those believers through comfort and whatever physical means it takes to help them. This can be through:

• Visiting the ill in the hospital
• Visiting shut-ins (those who cannot leave their homes)
• Helping in a food and clothing distribution ministry
• Ministering to widows and senior Christians
• Any ministry of comfort and relief of suffering

Those with this gift are able to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). They are sensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others and can quickly discern when someone is not doing well. They are typically good listeners and feel the need to simply “be there” for others. See Romans 12:8, Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23.