The Mercy Chromosome

Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory has an “enemies list.” It is a laugh line, but it is funny because, secretly, most of have one. Maybe not on paper like Sheldon, but it is just as real. So, the challenge we face is this; if we want to be a child of the Most High, then, we must show love and mercy even those on our enemies list.

Is there a “mercy chromosome?” No! Love and mercy are not in our genes. However, Jesus explained that the motivation for loving others is not so that we will get something out of it, but so that others will see God’s in us.

Standing Apart

It is no big deal to show love and mercy to those who love you. It is no big deal to give to others when you expect that you will be paid back (or even collect interest). Think about it, this is the attitude taken by the mafia, politicians, and everyone else in the world. If we live in this way, we are not standing apart—we are just like everyone else.

Jesus said that we will be sons and daughters of the Most High if we love even our enemies. This is a picture that resonates with me. My dad was pastor in the same church for over 30 years. He was a respected leader in the community and in his church. I often have people make this statement, “You are just like your dad.” I am always proud when people say, “There is no denying that you are Charlie’s son.”

Family Resemblance

It is easy to see the family resemblance in me, I look like my dad.  Most people in the United States don’t look like Jesus, but it won’t be how we look that causes people to see Jesus in us. It won’t be what county we are from or whether we say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or, even, Merry Xmas. It will be the love that we have for the “least of these.”

We should have a desire to show a family resemblance. People should be able to look at the way we act and the way that we live and say, “there is no denying that you are a child of God.”

So, how do we actually go about doing this? How do we start to develop a family resemblance? We need to begin by putting ourselves in the shoes of others and asking how we would like to be treated if the tables were turned. This is not in our DNA, so we have to make an effort. We’ll need to ask God for help to show love and mercy even when we don’t feel like it.

Enemies List Challenge

Back to Sheldon Cooper, let me present the “enemies list challenge.” Think about someone who you might consider an enemy. It could be a neighbor you dislike, a teacher with whom you are unhappy, or a co-worker who seems inept. Maybe, your list includes a boss who is a tyrant, a customer who treated you poorly, or even a member of your own family. Whoever it is, let me challenge you to really think about that person for a moment. Ask yourself, How would I treat that person if I really liked them? What would it look like if I were to show love and mercy to this person?

I’ve had to wrestle with this challenge and it’s made me very uncomfortable. Sadly, the public perception of Christians is not a good one. Many people in America today associate Christians with a particular political party and/or a particular news network. They have the idea that Christians are happy and kind only to those who share their views, but they will shun, ridicule, and marginalize those who do not. If this is the perception the world has of us, we have failed.

So, who do people think is your Father? Does the way you live reflect that you are a child of God, or do you live the same way as the rest of the world? Do you have the mercy chromosome?

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Luke 6:36

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Unconditional Love.