Anchor My Faith

The Merciful

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

So far we have considered the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. In this lesson we will consider those who are merciful: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). As one thinks about their sin, they realize that before God they stand guilty and deserve just punishment, but God in his love for us shows compassion or forgiveness toward us when it is within his right and power to punish. That is showing mercy.

Recalling what we learned about the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, we see a common need of looking outside of oneself for help. Because of their own inadequacies, dependences, weaknesses and incompleteness, they understand their need of mercy being shown them and as a result they see the need to in turn show mercy to others. It is first from God that we receive mercy and in turn we are to show mercy to others.

It is not natural to show mercy to those who have hurt you, but as enemies of God, he showed mercy to us. He is also our source of mercy and as we walk with him and live in constant dependence on him, he provides us with the ability to show mercy to others. I think of those who live under persecution and have been tortured or severely punished in some way and are able to love and forgive those enemies. That is showing mercy.

As believers, we will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ as our works pass through the fire of judgment. Because of his mercy we will be welcomed through this judgment and into his kingdom, not because of our works, but because of his gift of salvation by faith through grace. As we live out this salvation, our thanks to him is showing mercy to others and at his second coming we will be shown mercy.

We must never forget that we don’t deserve God’s grace; receiving what we don’t deserve. It is God who shows mercy; withholding from us what we deserve. As we walk with Jesus along the gospel path, we will learn more about mercy and grace and as we do we will desire to be more like Jesus in our relationship with others.

Prayer

Father, there are so many aspects of the Christian faith that are not natural to live out and without being born spiritually and having the Holy Spirit living in our lives, it would be impossible. Father, thank you for providing all that we need to live godly lives, including being merciful.