Do You Show Mercy?

They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.

Matthew 5:7

Anyone know the definition of mercy? According to the dictionary it is compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power. It also means a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion, compassionate treatment of those in distress. 

Do you understand our need for mercy? But God's mercy is great, and He loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, aHe gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace.  (Ephesians 2:4-5) There is not a single person reading this today, or in the world, that is not a sinner needing salvation. God’s great mercy gave us a way to escape the punishment that sin brings. He showed His wonderful love for us when He gave us Jesus. 

Why do you wait? If you haven’t chosen to turn away from the world, confessed the name of Jesus and submitted to be cleansed in the waters of baptism yet, what are you waiting for? God’s great mercy is waiting for you. 

If you are a Christian, are you merciful? This is not the only blessing that we receive from God that He expects us to show to others. Remember what Jesus told the disciples when teaching them to pray?Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. (Matthew 6:12) If we want to receive forgiveness, we are to be forgiving people. The same is true with mercy. If we want God to be merciful to us, then we must be merciful to others. 

What will be the attributes of a merciful person? Above all, a merciful person will have and show love. (I Peter 4:8) A merciful person will be kind to others, bearing with them as they learn and grow. (Ephesians 4:1-2) A merciful person will be a forgiving person. A merciful person understands that they are not perfect and are in need of mercy themselves. We understand that our dependence is on God. Want to have a song in your heart today? Are you a person who shows mercy? They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them.

Are You Hungry?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6

What does it mean to hunger and thirst for something? Have you ever really thought about it? I believe that understanding true hunger and thirst is something many people in America are not familiar with. Most of us have more than enough food to eat and something to drink is right at our fingertips. So, do we really comprehend what Jesus was saying in the verse above?  

If we did, our church buildings would not be nearly empty on Sunday and Wednesday night. If we understood and were searching and being filled by Jesus we would not see so many “Christians” caught up in the world. If we hunger and thirst for righteousness the divorce rate in the church would be null and our children would understand faithfulness.

As newborn babies want milk, , you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can mature in your salvation, because you have already examined and seen how good the Lord is. (1 Peter 2:2-3) Ever seen a baby who is hungry? That is a special cry, isn’t it, and it won’t stop until that hunger and thirst is satisfied. That is our picture of how our desire to be right with God should be. It is not a “take it or leave it” way of living. It is a daily searching for truth and aligning our life with God as we search His Word, daily spending time in prayer with our Father, daily putting His will before ours. Jesus tells us that we will be filled if we hunger and thirst after what is right.  

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life. (John 4:13-14) Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Are you being filled with Jesus? And Jesus said to them, "Then Jesus said, 'I am the bread that gives life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'" (John 6:35)  

Study, pray and grow. Hunger and thirst for righteousness so that you can be filled.