The Eight Beatitudes
Blessed Are the Merciful
They Shall Obtain Mercy
Description
Mercy extends compassionate help to the miserable, forgiving those who offend, assisting those in need, and showing kindness to the undeserving. The merciful reflect God's own character, for He delights in mercy. This beatitude does not teach that mercy earns mercy—such would contradict grace. Rather, those who have received God's mercy naturally extend it to others, and those who refuse mercy to others demonstrate they have never truly received it themselves. Mercy given becomes mercy received in the divine economy.
Key Verses
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.