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Blessed Are the Merciful

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

As believers we have received so much mercy already. Let us be thankful for the rich blessing God has poured out on us. However, there seems to be something more here. If not more, then at least a correlation.

The correlation is mercy will be met with mercy. Those who are merciful shall obtain mercy. How does this play out in our lives? Well, the implication is believers should have and cultivate a spirit of mercy and forgiveness. 

Mercy is an intrinsic quality of the Holy Spirit. 

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:16-17). 

Having the Holy Spirit in our heart, we have the capacity and duty to be merciful. Believers will never come under a judgment of condemnation, but we are told to deal with forgiveness carefully. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions (Mark 11:25).

Clearly, this does not constitute a requirement for salvation. However, it speaks to the disposition of God toward our behavior. We can grieve the Holy Spirit. 

Note:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:29-32). 

The practical aspect of this is if we are merciful to others then our failures will be met with mercy. Another aspect of mercy is pity. If we are willing to pity others, God will have pity on us. Therefore, no matter what is in view, forgiveness or pity, we should respond as we would have God respond to us. Before you attack or complain a brother or sister consider how much you have been forgiven—how much mercy you have received. Then it will be much easier for you to be merciful.











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