The Conditional Mercy

Mercy is never unconditional. Such has no power to bring a man back to his feet- it makes him idle, slothful and base. True, pure mercy is always conditional, but it is called mercy because its conditions are always in favour of the recipient, and have little or no boon to the giver. Such mercy lends strength to the receiver, and if he fulfils the conditions, makes him a better man and fills his heart with gratitude towards the merciful.

Such it is with God and man, with exaltation and the laws of Christ. When asked by God to repent, then, do not complain that conditions are attached to his mercy. For if it were given freely, then there is no improvement. If there is no improvement, there is no change in condition. If there is no change in condition, one must remain where he is. In our sinful state, can we suppose that we can enter into God’s presence again?

In the immediate term, there is no happiness either. Can a man be content with stagnation? Surely he may be comfortable with inertia, but by experience, no man can loaf without feeling buffeted in his heart. Such are the grounds which ferment anger, baseness and misery, for he seeks happiness in things which just cannot give that peace of mind which every man desires. Wickedness never was happiness, and the soil of sin cannot bring forth the fruits of God. This, then is the sad consequence of seeking respite without change, of pleading for mercy without budging a quarter.

Such it is also with parents and children, developed and developing nations, with charities and donors, bosses and workers. If there be true mercy, conditions must be attached. The only difference between such relationships and that of God and man is that the latter is always just and in true benefit of the recipient. If we, too are to be merciful, even as God is, then we must have no other object except the eternal welfare of those whom we grant mercy too. With such a mind, conditions made will be in the correct spirit.

Some might argue that no conditions should exist when a man donates to the poor. This is not true. When we donate, we expect that the charity will dispense the proper goods and services to the needy. We demand that the money flows directly to them. Now, if in this argument we are referring directly to the poor, then this is our error too. If we give without expecting anything from the poor, and when I say this I mean expecting them to at least make an effort to improve in their lives, then we are really ‘feeding them for a day’ and supporting indolence.

Of course, there are instances when conditions need not, and indeed, should not be present, such as providing meals to those who have virtually no means to help themselves, those who have exhausted every avenue. These are they who deserve every bit of mercy from society, for they have tried their best to improve. It is a known fact that life can be tough, and when a person sows, he doesn’t always get a harvest.

Let us remember before we complain of being laden with conditions in return for reward, that without such, we cannot become better and purer and more prosperous.