The Mercy Circle

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

I don’t know about you, but I can be hard on myself. I find it easy to give mercy, but sometimes hard to receive. Jesus says you are blessed when you show mercy, for you will be shown mercy. Jesus invites us to be part of this circle of mercy, showing and receiving mercy. It’s not that we are being rewarded for showing mercy, but receiving mercy is easier when we are merciful because we understand that mercy does not rely on a person’s ability to perform. 

God does not forgive us because we are finally doing it all right and have adequately made good on all the wrongs we have committed. No, He forgives because of mercy. When we come to Him with a repentant heart, he wipes the slate clean. Freely you have received, the Bible says, freely give. 

Jesus tells a parable of a servant who was forgiven a debt so great he could not repay in a lifetime. When a fellow servant who owes the man a small amount asks for mercy, the servant refuses. When the king finds out, he asks the unmerciful servant, “Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?”

The answer is a resounding yes! God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.