Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
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It is entirely logical that those who are merciful should receive mercy—for as it says in the letter to the Galatians, 'As a man sows, so shall he reap.' {Gal.6:7} And it is certainly true that we need the mercy of God! We are all sinners, and the wages of sin is death. {Rom.6:23} Were it not for His mercy we would have no hope! Let’s take a moment and sing a chorus of Amazing Grace and thank God we don't get what we deserve—He gave Jesus what we deserve in order to give us what His Son Jesus deserves!
But with that said you and I need to understand that the Father has not done away with justice; The Law, which requires death as payment for sin, was not broken or put aside by grace—it just transfers the punishment. The payment is always required and the Father’s mercy and love placed it on Jesus! That knowledge should cause us to far, far more desire to avoid sin in our lives. “But He (Jesus) was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.” {Is.53:5}
We are now called by Jesus to give, or better yet, to extend His mercy to others. Today’s verse is both about receiving and giving the mercy of God. You cannot give what you do not have! To fail to apply this in our daily lives is dangerous beyond questioning. We have been clearly warned that if we fail to forgive those who have wronged us, our Father will not forgive us! {Mat.6:15}
The Lord spoke to Moses instructing him on the construction of the tabernacle, both in the wilderness and then later by others in Jerusalem, modeled after the one in heaven “You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark...and there I will meet with you.” {Exo.25:21-22} Mercy is where Law and Grace meet! Mercy is where the humble and the King meet! The cross of Calvary was where the One who is Life met and conquered death, and where love met with and conquered hate.
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” {Rom.12:19-21} We have been well equipped—Mercy in abundance! So be merciful and spread the love:
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
LIVE GOD’S WORD AND SHARE HIS LOVE |
