In this edition of the beatitude series, we explore the fifth beatitude found in Matthew 5:7: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” It’s beneficial to review the earlier articles, as this one builds upon them in a sequential manner.
1. What Does It Mean To Be Merciful
To embody mercy is one of the defining attributes of God, as stated in Psalm 119:8. Forgiveness, kindness, and mercy are inherent to God’s nature. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit that dwells within us empowers us to cultivate this divine characteristic in our lives.
This naturally connects to the fourth beatitude, which speaks to those who yearn for God’s righteousness and will be filled. Mercy is an action word, indicating that it involves active participation. Demonstrating mercy encompasses not just forgiveness, but also taking the right actions.
We can only truly do what is right in the eyes of God through the Holy Spirit. This is why the fourth beatitude promises that we will be filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering us to outwardly express God’s righteousness, which encompasses showing mercy.
2. Examples On Being Merciful
2.1 Jesus
When Jesus was on the cross, he pleaded, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). This was a display of being merciful. And the notion is that we too as children of a merciful God need to be merciful and forgiving of the wrongs that others do to us.
One key prayer point from the Lord’s prayer is, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
This highlights that because we have received forgiveness and God’s Spirit has been bestowed upon us, we are empowered to extend forgiveness to others. As stated in Colossians 3:13, “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Jesus exemplified mercy in every interaction, transforming the lives of those he encountered. He did not condemn sinners but encouraged them to turn away from their wrongdoings.
The church is called to follow this example by extending mercy and forgiveness to those who wrong us. This approach allows individuals to find peace, live free from guilt, and lead lives that honor God.
2.2 The Disciples
Another example relates to the disciples. After Jesus was crucified, they were in pain and disappointment. Their close friend, Judas, had betrayed Jesus, and Jesus was killed like a criminal in a crucifixion. I’m pretty certain they were grieved and angry at the mob, the Pharisees and everyone who was involved.
But when Jesus appeared to them, he said Peace be with you. Thereafter he breathed on them and said:
Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. (John 20:22-23)
What’s key to note is that before he told them to forgive, he gave them the Holy Spirit. Therefore, forgiveness cannot be accomplished by human effort. Jesus has to empower them with the Holy Spirit then he gave them the command to forgive.
2.3 Stephen
To further demonstrate that acts of mercy can only be performed under the unction of the Holy Spirit let’s look into Stephen detailed in Acts, the 7th chapter.
Stephen was described as a man full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). When he gave a profound speech in the Temple, the audience became furious.
Acts 7:55 reads, “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven, and he saw the glory of God.” As he explained what he was seeing, people began to stone him.
His last words before dying were, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” This was a true demonstration of mercy, and it was made possible because Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit.
2.4 Paul
Paul suffered abandonment and harm from several people during his ministry and prison trials. He expressed mercy in his letter to Timothy as follows:
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them (2 Timothy 4:16).
3. What Happens When There Is Lack Of Mercy?
Dear reader, understand that a person who has wronged you will often try to steer clear of your presence. This is similar to how Adam and Eve hid from God; their guilt and shame made it impossible for them to face Him.
When we hold onto resentment and refuse to forgive, we allow the other person to distance themselves from us. In doing so, we also miss the chance to fully engage in the relationship with that individual.
Forgiveness brings forth radiance and a sense of glory, while its absence can stifles these qualities. This is exemplified by how Jesus demonstrated mercy to the church, cleansing her of her sins and presenting her to Himself as a radiant and glorious bride (Ephesians 5:26-27).
Jesus gave a parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. In this parable, he demonstrates that God has forgiven us of all our sins, therefore we should forgive others for their wrong doing.
James 2:13 NLT
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
Understand that the magnitude of our sins could only be wiped out the blood of Jesus. God had to incarnate into a human being in the form of Jesus for us to be pardoned of our sins.
This is the most profound demonstration of the mercy of God. With this understanding, we can forgive others, for we have been forgiven first.
4. How Will The Merciful Be Shown Mercy?
This 5th beatitude focuses on the works that we do through the power of the Holy Spirit, these are divine merciful works. Being merciful distinguishes us as children of God, who do good things for all men to see and to give God glory. Moreover, Jesus referred to those who do good works as the salt of the earth.
Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 25:34-40, where he calls those who are blessed to come and inherit the Kingdom of God prepared for them.
He mentions in verse 35 and 36, “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me to your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and your cared for me. I was in prison and you visited me.”
When the righteous ask him when did they do all these things Jesus responds, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.”
Acts of mercy, love, and kindness toward others, inspired by the Holy Spirit, are akin to serving Jesus Christ directly. During the final judgment, He will extend His mercy by granting us the Kingdom to inherit.
5. Final Remarks
Genuine acts of mercy can only occur through God. It requires the presence of God’s Holy Spirit to embody true forgiveness and mercy. This is why God incarnated to a human, through Jesus, to extend forgiveness to humanity, as forgiveness and mercy are profound divine attributes. To cultivate these qualities within ourselves, we need the guidance of God’s Spirit to assist us in forgiving and showing mercy to others.
Moreover, mercy is rooted in love, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Consequently, we perform acts of love inspired by the Holy Spirit residing within us. As a result, God will extend His mercy to us both in the present and during the final days when He delivers judgment to all humanity.
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