Mercy!

Mercy!

Matthew 5:7 AMP

[7] “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Again, it is important to emphasize that the audience always defines the impact of the message. Two people can hear the same words at the same time, but both of them can come to different interpretations and applications of the demands of those words. There are times when emotions, feelings or the experience of that person at the time may impact how the person receives the words, but it has to be made clear that though God knows we are human, He does not, and will not excuse sin. He will not lower His standards for anyone, but be sure that if you say you are a follower of Him, be ready to live up to His standards. 

This was at play here: Jesus was speaking to His disciples, but there was a crowd there too, listening to His words. As we now know, God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. If He refers to those who are merciful as blessed, you need to find out what it means to be merciful, so you can enjoy the blessings as promised. Mercy refers to 'compassionate, forgiving, or lenient treatment given to someone whom you have the power to punish or harm. It means showing kindness or forbearance when fairness or justice might otherwise demand severity'. It is not mercy that the gulity demands, but the one in power offers freely, and without compulsion. 

Reflect on this: a person has truly offended, and it is clear what the punishment should be. I will not be wrong to apply the punishment as required, but the higher calling of God in my life requires me to see the person in the light of the God who also forgave, cleansed and redeemed me, so I could even be in a position where I am able to extend the same grace I have received to other people. Applying the just punishment is not wrong; God only calls us to react and respond to people with the understanding of who we are now, because of the mercy that God Himself extended to us. I am also conscious of the fact that I cannot give what I do not have.

This is why the verse above is for disciples, not the uncommitted majority. I cannot show mercy if I have not first received, personally responded to, and appropriated the mercy of God. That is why I am blessed: I have received it, and I am able to give it. Think of this as a never-ending cycle: God shows mercy; I am able to receive it and give it back to other people, and I receive more of it in return. The God who asks me to show it supplies it in abundant measure too. That is the perfect example I can pattern my life after. As the verse above makes clear, mercy shelters me and God's promises become my daily reality.  God does not owe a man; if I obey, He will deliver. As always, the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.