“Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God ‘s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!” – Matthew 5:7 (AMP)
Jesus is the perfect example for every character of the Believer. One attribute which characterised Christ’s relationship with people, especially those who came to Him for healing or those He wanted to heal, was that He had compassion on them as recorded in the Gospels. And as Jesus taught on the Mount, He teaches His disciples to be merciful, for they will also obtain mercy.
Heartfelt compassion and mercy towards others is a character that lacking amidst a lot of believers today and this can easily be traced back to selfishness which many have not dealt with. A selfless Christian will always be merciful and compassionate. Compassion means to deeply care about someone insomuch as to pay the price for their wellbeing, if possible, and to take every step needed for their ease.
The world is wicked as it is and believers cannot live the way of the wicked world and expect to be any different than them. Being merciful to others, even unbelievers, goes a long way in showing the world what it means to be of God.
There are many believers who still adhere to the ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ teaching but this is not Christ’s way of living the Kingdom. People will offend us, no doubt, but we must show them mercy by forgiving them even when they do not deserve our forgiveness. Those who we think to be unworthy of our help will always need it and we must be ready to help them, inasmuch as we have the ability to.
Being merciful doesn’t depend on your societal status nor financial ability but on your heart. As a believer, you must allow compassion and mercy in your heart. Being merciful shows you as one who is learning the ways of God and your actions give furtherance to the course of the Gospel. God shows mercy to those who are merciful because everyone needs God’s mercy. And you cannot enjoy His mercy if, within your abilities, you choose not to show mercy to others. This is a command of Christ to you – BE MERCIFUL. BE COMPASSIONATE.
Practical Application: Have you ever been in a situation where you should be merciful unto someone but you held back because you thought they were undeserving? Take a moment to reflect on this and seek forgiveness from the Lord and determine to do better when opportunity comes.
Confession: I am born of God and I am merciful as He is merciful. I am not a wicked believer. I show mercy and compassion to even the undeserving.
Related Scriptures: Luke 6:30-36
Bible Readings: Hebrews 2
