Blessed are the merciful

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

The merciful are those whose hearts have been so changed and affected by the Holy Spirit that they have a love for others and concern for their suffering. They are aware of their own great need for divine mercy and that they have been given mercy by God, so they are sensitive to other people who need mercy. Compassion flows in the hearts of Christians for those that suffer even if the suffering is caused by sinful, self-destructive behavior.

Note that Christians are blessed for being merciful rather than being blessed if they are merciful. Man cannot save himself by works and it is clear that being merciful results from God’s grace and not self-effort. Like the beatitudes preceding this one, being merciful is a description of Christian character. It is a picture of what Christians look like and how they act and live their lives. They show mercy and hate the suffering that flows from the consequences of sin. Anyone who is not merciful, and does not show the attributes of these beatitudes should repent and fly to the throne of grace and place their faith in Jesus Christ and they will receive mercy, forgiveness sins, and eternal life. With the changed heart that results from salvation, they will become merciful where they once were indifferent. Jesus Christ saves sinners and makes them new creatures in Christ.

Praise God that their ultimate mercy will come when the new heavens and new earth are revealed and all suffering will be over.