Merciful

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Who will be blessed?
- those who are full of mercy.
What shall be their reward ?
- they shall receive mercy themselves.

This reward is conditional. To have it, you have to show it yourself. Why should I be merciful?
- I have known God's mercy.
- It is the right thing to do ( righteousness )
- It demonstrates who I belong to.

It is an ongoing process, as I receive mercy, it flows from me to others.

Eleemon ( Greek for merciful ) Also shown as compassion. Mercy refers to an outward manifestation or showing of compassion. It is a ' doing ' word, led by God. It is active, forgiving someone rather than holding a grudge. Showing mercy is evidence that we have received mercy ourselves.
The concept of mercy assumes two things; there is a need , that you have the ability to meet that need. Showing mercy can be impossible but it is HIMpossible.

Grace is God's solution to my sin, mercy is God's solution to the misery caused by my sin, ie it may be shown by a practical solution or a spiritual one ( healing )
Grace is getting what I do not deserve, justice is getting what I do deserve and mercy is not getting what I deserve.


1 corinthians 1v3
All praise to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful father and the source of all comfort.

Ephesians 2v 4-7
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. ( it is only by God's grace that you have been saved ! ) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as an example of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

How is God described in these passages?
Father of all mercies
God of all comfort
Rich in mercy

Who has God shown mercy to ?
US - when we were dead in our transgressions, ie not obeying the right rulings of His kingdom.

How did He show it ?
He made us alive in Christ, and raised us up with Jesus and seated us in the heavenly places.( because of Christ's resurrection, we know that our body will also be raised from the dead and that we have been given the power to live as christians now. Our eternal life with Christ is certain because we are united in His powerful victory )

Why ?
So that in the ages to come, He will show the whole of created life, His awesome grace and kindness towards those who are in Christ.

Jesus quotes from Hosea 6v6, ' religious ritual is only helpful if it is carried out with an attitude of love for and obedience to God. God wants my heart to be full of His love so that I will pass it on to others. To show mercy is to be moved to action , to meet a need practically and prayerfully.