Having a Kingdom Attitude 5

We come to the fifth Beatitude in Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." A popular Roman philosopher called mercy "the disease of the soul." In Roman culture, it was a supreme sign of weakness to show mercy; so you can image the looks on the disciple's faces when they heard that God's blessing is directed connected with mercy. The word "mercy" means charitable acts; it is compassion toward those who have a real need. The residents of the Kingdom are not takers but givers. One who practices mercy not only will have less stress but will also reflect a personal relationship with Christ. For you see, mercy is the very heart of God (Ps. 106:45).

Let us look at several passages in Scripture that will give us a better illustration of what mercy says to we live and do it. In Matt. 18:21-ff, we see that mercy tells others "I forgive you!" These are hard words, and yet they are possible, only by God's strength, to be said to those who have hurt you in the past. When we forgive, it is an act of mercy, and an act that will reduce our stress. In Luke 10:30-37, mercy said, "I love you!" It was the Samaritan who had mercy on the Jewish traveler, beat up and left for dead. In John 8:1-11, we read that mercy says to others, "God's grace is for you!" In this story, it was mercy that said, "I do not condemn you" and it was grace that said, "Go, and sin no more." Have you experience God's grace? If not, all you have to do is cry out for His mercy and forgiveness of sin today? Lastly, in Luke 16:19-ff, we see that mercy says to others, "God is the final Judge!" The rich man showed no mercy to Lazarus on this earth, and yet roles were reversed when both died. We are commanded to show mercy to all men. We are not asked to debate it, analyze it, or dissect it; we are to simply give mercy to all men no matter their behavior toward us. This act can only be done with God's Spirit, and it is the behavior of every resident in heaven. Well, until next time, keep walking close to Christ.