MERCIFUL COVERS THE FIFTH BEATITUDE: Matthew 5:7

This post discusses the meaning of Jesus’ fifth beatitude, Matthew 5:7. “Blessed… the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Merciful as a post states that God will provide blessings for those who show mercy. This person will then receive mercy. But from whom? Two sources of mercy are available for the individual that shows mercy: 1. Fellowmen or 2. God.

However, our fellowmen do not necessarily provide mercy. We might receive some reciprocal-mercy after we have helped them. But we can never automatically expect mercy.

However, consider God. We cannot expect mercy as a work to obtain salvation. When salvation comes from God, it comes from His goodness, not as being deserving from our works of mercy, Titus 3:4. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” Thus, God provides salvation by His mercy, not due to works we have done.

As Christians, we should show mercy toward our fellowmen. Note that this attribute toward others occurs in our minds—not automatically—and happens because we decide mentally to be merciful. Jesus told a parable that illustrates a neighbor’s actions of mercy, Luke 10:30. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.” Two religious people passed by and decided not to help the man. But surprisingly, a Samaritan stopped and rendered aid.

Jesus asked as to which one of these three was a neighbor. The answer was clear, Luke 10:37. “The one who showed him mercy.” Likewise, we need to show mercy to our fellowmen. When we do so, we may or may not receive mercy in reciprocal action as gratitude from some people. But God will always know and bless us.

So, what did we learn?

1.God blesses those who show mercy.

2.Mercy from God comes from His characteristic nature.

For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#mercyFromGod #showMercyToOthers