This beatitude carries a warning many people overlook.
“Blessed are the merciful… for they shall obtain mercy.”
We have been looking at the beatitudes, and at how they show the progression of spiritual maturity. The first two are closely tied together, coming to God in humility recognizing our need for Him, and a deep sorrow or mourning because of our sin.
The next step is to start learning meekness, a quiet strength that helps develop deep, spiritual roots and an enduring faith. As we do these things, we will have a growing desire to walk in righteousness … and those who hunger for the righteousness that comes through God will be filled.
And now we come to Matthew 5:7,
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Video Version of This Study
This is the video presentation of the lesson below, formatted for teaching on YouTube. The written study continues underneath for those who prefer to read or study at their own pace.
This one can be hard for some people … but it is critical for continued spiritual growth. Come with me as we explore what it means to be merciful and to receive God’s mercy in return.
When we really begin to develop a hunger for righteousness, and begin to grow into it, it can be very easy to start judging those who are still in sin. We think we have arrived, and begin to look down our noses at those who still struggle, those who have weaknesses. We lose that sense of being poor in spirit, and become like that Pharisee who condemned the lying, cheating tax collector. You can insert your own pet peeve here.
But allowing that attitude to take hold can bring our own spiritual growth to a screeching halt. The beatitudes are not a one and done event, but are traits that should become our very character. We must continue in humility as we grow to maturity.
For we all are still human, we all still have a fleshly nature. 1John 1 teaches that those who say they have no sin are liars, and the truth is not in them. Even late in life, after many years of ministry, the Apostle Paul declared that he must keep pressing toward the goal of the upward calling of Christ (Philippians 3:13, 14).
The Christian walk is a continual growing process. He who thinks he stands needs to take heed lest he stumble or fall and end up losing ground in his spiritual walk.
Hebrews 4:16 says we can come boldly before God’s throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace when we need it.
The Warning
But this beatitude warns that those who are merciful themselves are the ones who can continue to obtain God’s mercy. Now, we don’t earn God’s mercy, but rather we reflect His mercy outward. When we begin to really understand God’s mercy and just how much we need it, we can extend that same mercy toward others.
Through the sermon on the mount, Jesus emphasized this truth several times in different ways, as He also did in a few of His parables. He said, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” He warned, “Judge (condemn) not, or you will be judged, and with the same measuring stick you used to judge someone else.”
This can be a tough one for many, but it is critical for spiritual growth.
Blessed are the merciful… As Christians, while we should hate evil, we should not harbor anger and hatred for evildoers. We are even advised this in Psalm 37, which has tied in with the previous two beatitudes. It all ties together into a beautiful tapestry of Truth.
The Application of Mercy
So, in what ways can we be merciful?
For one, do not be quick to condemn a fellow believer who has stumbled or fallen into a sin, considering lest we also stumble back in some area (Galatians 6:1). Nor should we reject a Christian because of their former sins. It does not matter if it was “minor things” such as theft or anger, or supposed worse sins such as drugs, immorality, or murder. We MUST be merciful. While we stand firm in the truth that these things ARE SIN, believers have been forgiven by God, and we must do likewise. And if they have stumbled, God can and will forgive them again, if they acknowledge it to Him, and if their heart is to not sin.
Scripture calls Satan the accuser of the brethren. If you hold past sins or a stumbling against another believer, then whose voice are you really listening to at that moment?
You are falling into Satan’s trap! He goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. He loves to destroy a believer’s testimony by either tempting them into sin or by bringing accusation.
When Jesus was on the cross, He forgave those who were in the very act of murdering Him.
Can we do less?
Another way this applies is regarding those who hold a different understanding than ourselves on a non-critical doctrine. There are a number of doctrines that are debated in the church among sincere, genuine believers. Perhaps the view that they hold that is different from yours is the correct one, or perhaps you have the right understanding. We all like to think that we are the ones who are right about every doctrine, but we all see through a glass darkly. It is unlikely that anyone is perfect in all their understanding. We are all growing into the truth.
For example, there of differences of understanding about the rapture and coming of Christ, such a pretribulational or postribulational, or prewrath. Some believe in the Calvinist theory of salvation, some in Armenianism, and others are somewhere in between. And so forth. We must be merciful to those who understand these differently than ourselves. We are not saved because we believe in what Calvin taught – we are saved by the undeserved grace of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God.
Now understand me: We must still stand against those who genuinely teach critical false doctrines, such as the New Apostolic Reformation teachers and the Word of Faith teachers. We certainly should denounce those who are wolves catering their doctrine to fleshly desires, and to exalting self while demoting God. These are false teachers. They are part of Satan’s tribe, deceived and determined to drag us down with them.
But even for them, we should desire that they would repent of the lies they teach. Jesus could be harsh with His detractors, but His heart was for them to see the truth and repent, even so. He was showing them mercy in trying to reach them even though many refused to hear Him. They did not deserve the truth after repeatedly rejecting it – but He tried anyway.
Furthermore, we must also have a merciful attitude even to those who are not believers. – Understand that they are not saved, do not have God’s Spirit. While we still stand against their sin, perhaps God will show them the same mercy He showed you, and allow them to receive His salvation.
Note this: this applies universally. There are some sins many find especially repugnant, such as homosexuality and other perversion, murder, drug addiction, or even theft. Even the unsaved can be quick to condemn these things. But Jesus said we must have a merciful mindset even toward them.
This is a hard saying for some, but Jesus is quite clear. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
Now, I am not saying that we don’t take a stand against sin. Of course we must be firmly for God’s Truth. Because of their sin, people will be eternally separated from God. They will go to the Lake of Fire. We must warn them of the danger when opportunity presents itself. Only a genuine faith placed in Jesus Christ can save – can wash away the stain of sin.
But our attitude must be from a heart of mercy, imploring them to turn to Christ and away from sin. Sometimes, I see those who seem almost gleeful that certain sinners will go to hell, rather than being concerned for them.
If it were not for God’s mercy, where would we be? It is easy to forget this great truth, but it should shape how we think about others. This truth is so essential to the Christian life, I created a simple design as a reminder of it.
Click on image below to go to product page in shirts, stickers, and more
As we begin to grow in these beatitudes, to grow in righteousness and learn to be merciful, then our hearts will be made more and more pure. That brings us to our next beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Join me in the next lesson, where we will learn what it means to be pure in heart, and how this differs from hungering for righteousness.
