They Alone

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

      Jesus was emphatic about who would be blessed as He spoke this beatitude. “Blessed are the merciful, for they..”. They Alone! The word leaves no room for distraction. The blessing of being merciful is that you stand in a class all by yourself. God gives mercy only to the merciful.

      James writes to us, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shown no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.” James 2:13

      Jesus told us, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15

      Those that are prone to legalism misconstrue this passage to think that salvation and mercy from God can be earned by acts of mercy. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Salvation is through the grace of God and cannot be earned in any way.

     “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. Ephesians 2:8-9

      Let’s just stop for a moment and let that thought permeate our spirit. “Not of works.” By grace through faith! There is nothing you can do or will do that saves you. It is the gift of God received through faith! Soak that in. Let it overflow you. Free you. Empower you. This is settled by the Word of God and cannot be debated or argued away.

      So what did Jesus mean “If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven?”

     To understand we must turn it around. Those that have been forgiven by a merciful God and have the Spirit of God living in them will be merciful. We are the product of what lies within us. If the Spirit of God dwells in you then you will bring forth the fruit of His Spirit. Mercy will rejoice deep in your spirit as it springs forth to those that are in distress.

      The old song says, “I’ve been changed. I’ve been newborn now. All my life has been rearranged.” That is what the love of God living in the heart of men will do. I am forgiven and I can’t help but forgive those that have trespassed against me. I have received mercy and mercy now overflows my soul. I can’t hold it back and I don’t want to hold it back.

      Yes, I am blessed! Not because of work that I have done but because of the work that Christ has done in me.