Scripture to Read: Matthew 5:7–8
God loves to bless those who walk in obedience to Him and His Word; that is why Jesus also shared in Matthew 5:7–8, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” As Christ describes, showing mercy to others is only possible to those who have received the rich mercy of our Lord. True mercy is only possible through our relationship with Christ. Mercy comes out of the overflow of God’s love. We know this because God tells us in Ephesians 2:4–5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” God showed us mercy because of His love for us through Christ. We, in turn, can show mercy to others because we know the richness of God’s mercy on our lives. A great example of someone totally missing the mercy and forgiveness offered to them is found in Matthew 18:23–35. God’s mercy and forgiveness through Christ are offered to all, but not all receive it. Jesus also speaks of the “pure in heart” seeing God. No one has a pure heart (Romans 3:23) apart from Christ, but what a great reminder that through Christ, everyone who surrenders to Christ as Lord will one day see God in all His glory. Because Christ makes us pure, He expects us to walk in His pureness daily (1 Peter 1:14–16).
Challenge & Application
· How have you been able to show others mercy knowing the mercy God has shown you through Christ?
· Since Christ has given you a pure heart, how are you walking in the pureness He’s given you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!