“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”<\/p>\n
I’m not a Greek scholar, so I don’t know for sure, but I can’t help but think this has a past, present, and future perspective to it. Kind of like this:<\/p>\n
We received mercy in the form of forgiveness of our sins. Because of our sins, we deserved judgement, but God, a just God, through His grace and the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, extended mercy and forgave our sins. It is that mercy which allows us to be merciful, exhibiting the love of Christ to the world. And as we are merciful we will receive mercy.<\/p>\n
Kind of like this hymn written by Augustus Toplady, A Debtor to Mercy Alone.<\/p>\n
A debtor to mercy alone,
\nof covenant mercy I sing.
\nI come with your righteousness on,\u00a0<\/i>
\nmy humble off’ring to bring.
\nThe judgements of your holy law
\nwith me can have nothing to do.
\nMy Savior’s obedience and blood
\nhide all my transgressions from view.<\/p>\nThe work which your goodness began,
\nthe arm of your strength will complete.
\nYour promise is yes and amen,
\nand never was forfeited yet.
\nThe future or things that are now,
\nno power below or above,
\ncan make you your purpose forego,
\nor sever my soul from your love.<\/p>\nMy name from the palms of your hands,
\neternity will not erase.
\nImpressed on your heart it remains
\nin marks of indelible grace.
\nYes I, to the end, will endure,
\nuntil I bow down at your throne.
\nForever and always secure,
\na debtor to mercy, alone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n