“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5: 7

The fifth beatitude is all about true love and true compassion. True mercy is something so uncommon in our society. In this beatitude, Jesus is describing mercy as a quality of citizens of the Kingdom. The basic concept is… compassion for those in need, taking steps to alleviate the pain and misery of others.

“For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another (I remember when I “hated the world”). But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7

Paul is saying that we have been changed on the inside-given a new heart (Ezekiel 36: 26), and because God is merciful… we’re also motivated to be merciful. Have you ever run into people who are all talk and no action? I think all of us have. If we just say “Well… I’ll pray for you,” but have the resources to meet that person’s needs, James says that our words are worthless…

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

There are many practical ways to show mercy. If we take a look in Matthew 25, Jesus talks about meeting physical, emotional, and social needs…

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me, I was in prison, and you visited me.


And the King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers or sisters, you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25; 34-36, 40

You’d be surprised how many lonely people are out there. Think of people who are isolated from the world because of an illness… think of people in nursing homes – visiting someone who’s old and somewhat forgotten, or maybe you can comfort someone who is greiving… not comfort them with a sermon, but just comfort them by physically being there. Can you think of someone who may need encouragement… maybe just a phone call or an email would make all the difference in the world to them?




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