15 Aug 2014
Matthew 5:7
Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”
This is another area where it seems like the faithful ones are the losers. The righteous show mercy to others, but many times they get nothing in return. They are faithful, while the people around them are unfaithful and take advantage of them. Someone may run over your leg and then say they’re sorry, but your leg is still broken. You must forgive him, but you’ve still lost the use of your leg. Mercy is expensive; its cost is born by the innocent party.
But it is not all as it seems. As Jesus said, the merciful are blessed because they will obtain mercy. In other words, God will forgive those who forgive others. Others may sin against us, but we have sinned against God – and that has very serious consequences. Those who are merciful will be treated with mercy.
It’s also worth noting that God has promised to be harsh and cruel to those who are harsh and cruel. He will be good to those who were good, and He will be hard with those who were hard. It is far better to be forgiving and receive forgiveness from God, than to be harsh and cruel and face God’s eternal wrath.