THE BEATITUDES (5)
Jesus said,
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
(Mt. 5:7)
Mercy is an active virtue and chief attribute of God, which He freely extends to us.
Mercy moves in two directions: by escaping a negative consequence for something, though justly deserving a penalty; and by expressing compassion toward someone in need.
Mercy already received may serve as motivation to show mercy to someone else. Or anticipation of a time one will need mercy may provide incentive to exercise mercy in advance.
The Lord desires to see acts of mercy, delights in them, and even requires them. Mercy adorns a child of God making him more like his Father.
Believers experience the first mercy repayments while still on earth. And in fullness when standing before the Lord’s heavenly throne and He says: "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungered, and thirsty, and a stranger, and naked, and sick, and in prison, and ye ministered unto Me." (Mathew 25:34)
---Beverly Nickles