In the previous four Beatitudes we saw that being “poor in spirit”, “mourning” over sin, being “meek” and “hungering and thirsting after righteousness” were primarily inward characteristics of a child of God as manifested in his attitude toward God. There would surely be some outward evidences of these inward characteristics, but if I understand it correctly, the outward evidences were not a requirement for the promised blessedness. But now we come to the first Beatitude where an outward action (i.e. being merciful) is clearly required on the part of the benefactor in order for him to obtain the promised blessedness (i.e. mercy). “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”. There is an abundance of information in these nine (9) words, if we can only understand what is being said.

First this clearly teaches me that being “merciful” is an attribute that can only apply to one who has been born of God. God’s elect are eternally saved by the Grace and Mercy of God – not because of their works of righteousness which would include being “merciful” to others. Paul tells us in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost – “. The Unregenerate and those who are of a Reprobate Mind are haters of God and “Unmerciful”. Scripture tells us they are “filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful – “ (see Romans 1:28-32). Romans 3:18 tells us “There is no fear of God before their eyes”. One can not be “merciful” and obtain “mercy” unless they first “fear God”. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Second this clearly teaches me that being “merciful” is an act of righteousness motivated by love, kindness and compassion. Being merciful is to be full of mercy, and to exercise and manifest mercy. Mercy is kind and compassionate treatment. Kindness and Compassion without the outward treatment is not mercy. An outward treatment without kindness and compassion is not mercy. Mercy is action, motivated by compassion, kindness and/or love.

I. Mercy is Action – Not Inaction as in Pacifism or a Refusal to Act

Webster defines Mercy as the action shown to an offender because of compassion. (1) imprisonment, rather than death for first-degree murder (2) a good deed done to victims of misfortune

A. Quakers – Seventh Day Adventist – Jehovah Witnesses are among the Pacifist.

Pacifist – is one who opposes war or violence as a means of settling disputes. Being a Pacifist does not mean one is Merciful.

B. Some Use this beatitude (and the next one) Out of Context

1. “Turn The Other Cheek” – see Matt 5:38-45

2. “Live by the Sword Die by the Sword” - see Matt 26:51-52

C. How Do We Reconcile John 2:13-17 and 18:36

Note: We will have More to say about Pacifist with Peacemakers

D. The Duty of a Child of God is Obey God and Powers That

Be of God – Without Disobeying God - see Acts 5:29

1. Our Warfare is “Spiritual” - see Eph. 6:10-12

2. Beyond that it is A Matter of Conscience

E. Being Merciful is an ACTION not INACTION

II. Grace and Mercy are Closely Related - BUT they are not exactly the same.

1. Grace is God’s Unmerited Favor bestowed upon his elect people IN Christ.

2. Mercy is the action taken by God in manifesting his Grace and Love.

A. Grace and Mercy are given as separate attributes of God – see I & II Tim. 1:2, and Titus 1:4, also II John 1:3

B. Grace and Mercy go together – see Heb. 4:16 and I Tim. 1:12-14

C. Mercy is Often Used in the place of Grace - in Eph 2:8 it says we are “saved by God’s grace” but in Titus 3:5 and I Peter 1:3, 2:10 it says we are saved by Mercy.

III. Compassion and Mercy Go Together (as with Attitude & Action) See Psalms 86:15, 145:8 - see Micah 7:18-19 see Rom 9:15

A. Jesus Was Moved with Compassion and Had (exercised) Mercy

1. Two Blind Men Given Sight - see Matt 20:30-34

2. A Leper Cleansed - see Mark 1:40-42

3. A Dead Son Restored to Life - see Luke 7:11-15

4. The Servant Who Could Not Pay - see Matt. 18:23-27

B. BUT Notice the Action of the Unmerciful Servant – Matt 18:28-35

1. This is The Problem With Many of Us - We Want Mercy – But are Not Willing to Be Merciful

2. Notice the FATE of the Unmerciful servant – verses 32-35

C. What Should Be our Attitude and Action Toward Others

See Eph. 4:29-32 and Col. 3:12-13

IV. Mercy is Love in Action (Love is = to Compassion & Kindness) See John 3:16 and I John 3:16-18 - Because of God’s Love He Acted - see Eph 2:4 and Jude 1:2, 21

A. God’s Mercy is the Evidence of God’s Love (compassion) - see Romans 9:15-16 and I John 4:9-11

B. Love Without Mercy is like Faith Without Works – i.e. Dead

V. Charity Is Love but Being Charitable May Not the same as Being Merciful ?

A. In I Cor. 13 the word Charity is “Agape” the same as Love, Brotherly Love

B. Being Charitable is being Generous in Giving Money or Help

1. If Done for Self Recognition or Gain – without Compassion or Love then it is not being “Merciful” in the true sense of out Beatitude.

VI. Several Ingredients GO Into “Being Merciful” if we are to Obtain Mercy

A. Kindness which is Evidence of Love - see Eph. 4:32 and Rom 12:10

1. As we are Kind to others – They are to be Kind to Us – “Be ye kind one to another”.

B. Humility – see Rom. 12:3, 12:16

C. Longsuffering - see Gal. 5:22 see II Pet. 3:9

D. Forbearance - To Tolerate one another - see Eph 4:2

Tolerate means “To Put Up With Someone Who Is Putting Up With You”

E. Forgiveness - As God For Christ Sake Has Forgiven Us

1. Does Not Require Us to Agree with Sin or Error

2. Mercy Does Not Override Truth - see II Tim. 2:24-26

3. Forgiveness Required For Forgiveness to be received - see Matt 6:9-15

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY