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You know that scripture don’t you, the one that says, “God helps those who help themselves”? Well the truth is, it’s not scripture. It might be classed with what some have called chimney corner scripture. It is located right alongside “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” and “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.” While it may be true in some cases that God helps those who help themselves, it is also true that God helps those who cannot help themselves. This fact has a direct connection to our focus phrase, Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment.

Grace and Mercy are two Divine attributes or characteristics. Neither of them can be earned; in fact earning either is a violation of terms; their very definitions prohibit my obtaining of them through merit (a value-for-value swap). If I am to obtain mercy or grace, it will by some means other than by helping myself. This does not mean that I can obtain these by doing nothing; it does mean that it cannot be by virtue of a value-to-value swap. Mercy is necessary to avoid the punishment (hell) I deserve and grace is necessary to receive the prize (salvation) I do not deserve. And neither of them can be earned!

The Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew's gospel account (Matthew 5-7) was delivered just as it is recorded. However, it is almost certain that the same or essentially the same message was delivered again and again during the earthly ministry of Christ. Without modern means of broadcasting, recording, or publication, the same truths Jesus spoke to the folks gathered on the hillside in Matthew's account were also needed throughout the countryside. For this reason, the portions of this basic message which were recorded by Luke vary slightly from those that were used by Matthew as they individually penned their accounts. By comparing these two accounts, we can gain some valuable insight into the meanings of some of the passages. Some of these that we will review have a direct bearing on the title of this series of articles, Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment.

To refresh our memories, Jesus included the merciful in the Beatitudes. He said, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5.7). In order to illustrate this principle, Jesus subsequently said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?” (Matthew 5.43-47). Only mercy could act like this! To love one's enemies, a person has to fore go the punishment that might be sought. In order for one to do good to those who would do bodily harm to him, mercy must intercede. Jesus followed up the principle with practical applications. These applications help us to understand what mercy looks like when it is embraced by human beings and when it is shown by God on a day to day basis.

Now, follow Jesus teachings on mercy one step further. After illustrating mercy's practical side, Jesus added, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5.48). Be perfect like God is perfect? This commandment might seem an impossible one to follow, but it is not. It becomes impossible when we fail to understand it, but it its proper context and as it is understood in view of the entirety of scripture, it becomes a challenge, but not an impossibility. We will resume our study at this point in the next installment. Meanwhile, practice mercy; it will not be lost!

Questions:

1. Does God help those who help themselves? Does God only help those who help themselves?

2. Why would the truths contained in the Sermon on the Mount need to be repeated over and over?

3. What would mercy look like when embraced by human beings? What picture did Jesus paint?

4. Can we be perfect? Is God perfect? Is that the commandment of Matthew 5.48, i.e. to be perfect (sinless) like the Father? Why or why not?

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A World of One