Counter-Cultural “Blessed are the merciful”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”   Matthew 5:7

Biblical Mercy is: Genuine compassion that is expressed in genuine action…

Biblical Mercy:

1. Moves Us to Action.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”     Luke 10:33-34

True compassion is more than just an emotion we experience; true compassion stirs us and moves us to action!!

2. Usually Costs Us Something.

“He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own donkey and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.”                Luke 10:34-35

3. Always Conveys the Heart of God.

“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”  He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”                    Luke 10:36-37
 

We are not called to live lives of mercy and compassion because the law commands us to; We are called to live lives of mercy and compassion because God’s love in us compels us to!!!