October 16 // "Blessed are the merciful"

Flip the Script

God wants us to be agents of mercy in this world.  

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”    Matthew 5:7

 Why in the world should I be merciful? 

Four Thoughts on Mercy 

God has shown me mercy.  

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.   Ephesians 2:4 - 5

God commands me to be merciful.

God has told you what is good and what He requires from you: to do what is right with others, to love being merciful to others, and to live humbly in fellowship with God.  Micah 6:8  

I will need you to be merciful to me in the future.

You must show mercy to others, or God won’t show mercy to you,  But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment.    James 2:13 

Being merciful brings happiness.

Your own soul is nourished when you show mercy.   Proverbs 11:17

HOW CAN I LEARN TO BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS?

Decide to be patient with people who are different than you. 

Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.    Ephesians 4:2

How do I get more patient?

One word: Wisdom

The wisdom that comes from heaven is pure, peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  Wisdom is full of mercy…   James 3:17a

Decide to care for those hurting around you.  

Love God with all your heart and Love your neighbor as yourself. 

 ...he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.  Romans 12:8b

Decide to give people a mulligan.

Don’t get bitter or angry or use harsh words that hurt each other.  Don’t yell at one another or curse or ever be rude.  Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.      Ephesians 4:31 - 32 

Decide to forgive those who hurt me.

Who’s hurt you the most in life? 

Who’s hurt you the most recently in life? 

“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then

your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  Luke 6:35 - 36

Decide to be a Bridge Builder to those who are different than you.  

 Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners.    Matthew 9:10 

The Pharisees were indignant.  ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’ they asked his disciples. When he heard this, Jesus replied, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.  Go learn the meaning of the Scripture, “I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices! For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.’” Matthew 9:11 - 13