“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
We all want mercy… for ourselves! Through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive God’s mercy in quantities so enormous that words fail us. We welcome His mercy in our life. We give thanks that God doesn’t give us what we deserve for all the bad things we’ve thought, said, or done. We celebrate that God doesn’t give us what we deserve for all the good things we’ve failed to say or do. We rejoice in God’s mercy!
Does that make you merciful? Truly merciful toward others in the way that God is merciful toward you? Are you as quick to show mercy as you are to ask for, and receive, it? God blesses, favors, and delights in those who are merciful. Is He blessing, favoring, and delighting in you? Are you merciful toward those in need? Are you merciful toward those who are weak or vulnerable? Are you merciful toward those who frustrate or wrong you???
Followers of Jesus have received (and continue to receive) mercy upon mercy from the Lord. It IS NOT optional for us to show mercy toward others! As the foremost beneficiaries for divine mercy, we must overflow with mercy toward others. If we don’t, do we really understand or believe the good news of Jesus Christ? Have we actually been saved and transformed by Christ?
Take some time to think about the mercy you’ve received in Christ. Then think about how much (or little) mercy you show toward other people. Is there a person or group toward which your heart is cold and hard rather than warm and merciful? Ask God to help change your heart, filling it with His mercy. Then enjoy the blessings, and freedom, of being truly merciful. #FollowJesus