Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Don’t be tempted to think that this is instruction for salvation: that somehow you can be so forgiving that you can earn salvation. That word for is the greek word ὅτι, which in many places is translated because. Now the King James translators did not choose the word because but it is helpful to know how that word is translated in other places of the bible in order to better understand the word they did choose: for. What if that word for was read because? Blessed are the merciful because they shall obtain mercy. This way, mercy is not something that can be earned. We are not merciful in order to obtain mercy, but rather we are merciful because we shall obtain mercy. Thus, we work from a blessed hope. And our hope maketh not ashamed (Rom 5:5). We forgive others because God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us (Eph 4:32); and being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Rom 5:9). The hope in God’s forgiveness will soon come to fruition. Until then, we pray “Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” (Luke 11:4)
Do we live out wrath? Or do we live out mercy? When someone rubs us the wrong way, how do we react? Do we pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) or do we call down fire from heaven upon them (Luke 9:54). How short is your fuse, Christian? Seventy times seven? (Matthew 18:22) Why do you get angry so quickly when you get bumped? Why do you cuss people under your breathe when they do something you don’t like? Why do you call people names when they don’t live up to your expectations? Why is it okay for you to throw a temper tantrum and it’s not okay for children to do so? Jesus said to such, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” (Luke 9:55)
When we lash out in anger, when we cast stones (in our heart and with our mouth), we are declaring to all the world and God, “I am without sin!” (John 8:7) Thus, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1:8) How quickly we forget that sinful, shameful, undeserving wretch that Jesus found that blessed day we got saved. How quickly we forget our transgressions that he took upon him, and nailed to the cross. (Col 2:14) God would be just to condemn us in our sin, yet instead, he became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21) One who habitually complains, criticizes, and condemns others certainly thinks himself more highly than he ought to think. (Rom 12:3) Of himself he declares through his actions, “I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” (Luke 18:11) When somebody that doesn’t care about you or your situation wrongs you, instead of being quick to cast your stones, try casting your cares upon Him for he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Very humbling. Good Stuff!