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The beatitudes were not constructed of new truth; they were merely ignored truths.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit...,” but others had said, “...if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves [poor in spirit], and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7.14).

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn...,” but others had said, “Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.” (Psalm 126.5).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek...,” but others said, “But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (Psalm 37.11).

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...,” but others said, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.” (Psalm 107.8-9).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5.7). Others had said, “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless.” (Psalm 18.25).

Being Merciful is not something you do; it is something you are! Being merciful is a character trait, not a switch that is turned off and on depending on who is looking or not looking. Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus made this clear as He depicted the judgment scene. “Then He [King Jesus] will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25.41-46).

Mercy is not something to be merited or demanded. In fact the phrase they shall obtain mercy is in the passive voice. The obtaining of mercy is a gift that is given when there is no other moral basis upon which such a gift can be obtained. Mercy is the last hope for those who otherwise are set for destruction; it is THE hope of those who are destitute and know it!

Imagine if you will the final judgment scene when the Judge of all men will pronounce our eternal destinies. Men will be condemned for every conceivable type of offense from lying to murdering the innocent. Men will cry out for mercy but will be denied. Do you really believe that anyone will cry out in that day, “Lord forgive me for being too merciful; I forgave some who didn't deserve it and for that I beg your forgiveness!”?

Mercy is a trait that we develop over a lifetime, but one in which we can never overachieve. It is one of the unnamed fruits of the Spirit against which there is no law! If we can sincerely pray, “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors,” we have hope. If we can't, God have mercy on our souls!

Questions:

1. Is God merciful? If yes, how do you know He is? What evidence is there to support that belief?

2. Read 1 Timothy 2.3-4. How extensive is God's desire for men to be saved? To what lengths did He go to make His desire a reality?

3. What hope for forgiveness is there for me if I fail to forgive others (see Matthew 6.15 & 11.26)?

4. Under what conditions, if any, could it ever be truthfully said, “He was a good guy, but he was just too merciful with others?” Explain your answer.

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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