In the beatitudes Jesus sets forth eight essential characteristics of the true Christian. It is interesting to observe how rarely these attitudes are the focus of modern Christian doctrine and practice. We have exchanged poverty of spirit for self-esteem, mourning over sin for "don't worry everybody does it", meekness for self-assertion and passion for righteousness for the pursuit of happiness. Which illustrates how difficult it is not to alter Biblical truth to suit our personal preferences.

If we would make a difference in this world we must resist this tendency and seek the revolution of character Jesus calls us to. The one we are to consider this morning is huge. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Like the other beatitudes it is the promised blessing associated with being merciful that captures our attention.

The merciful shall obtain mercy. This is not a merit system for salvation. Remember the preceding beatitudes. The person who knows his poverty of spirit, feels grief over his sin, etc. is not now going to think he has found a rope that he can climb into Heaven on his own strength. Rather we have here a sure sign that the new birth has really occurred in our life - the presence of mercy in our lives.

The cost of withholding mercy outweighs the cost of showing mercy. This is illustrated in the future of the merciless (Psalm 109:6-11). Why should these horrible things happen? "Because he did not remember to show mercy . . ." (v. 16).

With this in mind let us consider three ways we may extend mercy:

First, we must be merciful with regard to the souls of others. Consider the state of the lost. They walk along the brink of eternal ruin, and if death comes for them, they tumble in. The mercy that God shows to our souls is the chief mercy. Should we not speak, and act, and pray, as though we believed this?

Second, we must be merciful with regard to the physical condition of others (James 2:14-17). "I'll pray for you" is easy to say but then again, "Talk is cheap." True religion involves mercy to the widow and orphan (James 1:27). Consider also the nature of the good Samaritan's mercy: He did not blame the wounded man for being careless. He did not chase the robbers (seek retribution). He did not become an activist, protesting the government's failure to make the roads safer for travelers. Rather, the Samaritan sought to work in the context of the immediate need set before him, and to bring relief. There is a time for seeking justice, a time for promoting social reform, but neither of these is the exercise of mercy. "Mercy is getting down on your hands and knees and doing whatever you can to restore dignity to someone whose life has been broken by sin, whether his own or someone else." - Sinclair Ferguson

And last, we must be merciful with regard to the offences of others. Consider the mercy we have received. It is therefore our glory to overlook offenses against us (Prov. 19:11). The English Reformer, Thomas Cranmer, became proverbial for his mercy. It was said, "Do Cranmer an injury and he will be your friend as long as he lives."

Finally, it is to be remembered that though mercy may at times be a substitute for other things, other things can never be substituted for mercy. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6). We therefore must receive the exhortation to be merciful. As the elect of God, we are exhorted in Scripture to "put on tender mercies" (Col. 3:12). In doing so, we reflect is some small way, what God is like. God delights in mercy (Micah 7:18), and His tender mercies are over all His works (Ps. 145:9). Go and do likewise.

Questions For Kids:

Has anyone been merciful (helped take away your pain) to you? What did they do?

Have you been merciful to anyone recently?