“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” (Proverbs 11:17)
At one point, Peter thought that mercy should have a limit. “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Mt. 18:21) Jesus sought to expand Peter’s idea of mercy. “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Mt. 18:22).
There is a wideness in God’s mercy that goes beyond the act of forgiveness. It encompasses a spirit of patience, longsuffering, and forbearance. It is connected to the very nature of God who is love. It wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance and the knowledge of the truth. What Jesus was really wanting Peter to take hold of is the heart of God, whose glory transcends all human virtue.
Later in his life, Peter would understand that, through Jesus Himself, God was calling us to be partakers of His own glory and virtue (2 Pet. 1:3) We are to share His nature, displaying toward all those around us the same love and mercy He has shown to us.
But what if the ones we are showing mercy toward never repent? What if they keep up their bad and hurtful behavior? Whatever other steps we may be led to take, the one step we dare not take is toward the harbor of bitterness, hatred, and revenge. To do so is to only hurt ourselves. Add to your faith the virtue of mercy. The merciful person does good to their own soul. Virtue is indeed its own reward.