PRACTICALLY LIVING OUT MERCY: BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7
The emphasis of this verse is clear: mercy isn't merely a nice gesture but a transformative action that mirrors the mercy we've received from God. Mercy may seem straightforward but it’s true standard was set by Jesus on the cross—a standard that can be challenging to meet. In our pursuit of holiness, it's easy to become unloving and callous towards those who don’t live the truths we uphold as believers in Jesus Christ. However, this should not be the case. We're called to balance our quest for holiness with a deep and compassionate understanding of the world's brokenness and the brokenness of people in this world.
So, how can we practically live out mercy?
1. Recognize the Origin of Mercy: Understanding that God's mercy towards us serves as the source of our own mercy is crucial. As Micah 7:18-19 and Romans 5:8 illustrate, God's delight in showing us mercy, even in our sinful state, should inspire us to extend that same mercy to others. The depth of our own spiritual depravity and God's grace should fuel our compassion and expression of mercy.
2. Overcome “Bondage to the Trivial”: One of the greatest obstacles to showing God's mercy is getting caught in the web of worldly distractions. We must prioritize seeking God's kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33) and not become entangled in "religious superiority." We should avoid “straining out gnats” (trivial and unimportant things) while ignoring justice, mercy, and faithfulness (the important things), as the Pharisees did (Matthew 23:23-24).
3. Embrace the Characteristics of the Merciful: To truly live out mercy, we must embrace characteristics such as humility, a compassionate heart, forgiveness, and a commitment to helping the weak. The parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31-46 reminds us that our merciful actions towards others are a direct reflection of our relationship with God.
4. Offer Forgiveness: We should be quick to forgive, just as God forgave us. Holding onto grudges and resentments limits God's forgiveness in our lives (Matthew 18:21-35).
5. Avoid Judgment: We are not called to judge others but to reflect Christ's love and point others towards salvation (John 3:16-17).
6. Show Compassion for the Lost: As Christ's ambassadors, we must actively seek ways to do good deeds for those in need and share the light of Christ with the world (Matthew 5:16).
In conclusion, living out God's mercy is not just a passive belief but an active, transformative lifestyle. The measure of mercy we show to others will be the measure of mercy we receive from God. Let us strive to be poor in spirit, mourn for our sins and the world's brokenness, and thirst for righteousness.
May we always be willing to forgive and offer comfort to those who mourn. Let's remember the depths from which we were saved and lay down our lives to rescue those lost in darkness. As we embrace and practically live out God's mercy, we become agents of transformation in a broken world. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy—may this truth guide our daily lives and interactions.