Mercy Me!
Today's Three-minute Bible Study
Print, Study and Apply
Title: Mercy Me! ------------------- Date: 7/6/2003
Keywords:
“mercy”
Welcome
to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual
temptation.
The Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount will be the basis for the next several days’ worth of eXXit studies. The Lord preached the Sermon on the Mount to both serious disciples and to curious onlookers. Regardless of which camp you are in right now, you will find help in your struggle for purity in Jesus’ words.
Passage: Matthew 5:3-8*
3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (see eXXit study for June 30)
7. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Questions
1. When standing before a judge, do you think most criminals would prefer justice or mercy?
2. What comes to your mind when you hear the term "Law of the Harvest"?
Practical help
Christians are well acquainted with the concepts of justice and mercy. The Gospel says that because we have received mercy we will live forever in Heaven with God. Had we received justice, based on the merits we brought into God’s courtroom, we would have been condemned forever in a place the Bible calls "Hell" separate from God.
Christians, having received mercy, are expected to show mercy to others. Far from being severe, those of us who have tasted God’s mercy are to be merciful, kind, compassionate with people who misbehave. Our mercy will give others a taste of God’s grace and mercy, and may be the tool God uses to bring them to saving faith in Jesus.
This beatitude assures us, too, that mercy comes full circle. The one who is shown mercy is to show mercy, true. And then, the one who shows mercy, will be shown mercy! (This would be what we refer to as "The Law of the Harvest" — you reap what you sow!)
Mercy has to do with how we deal with those who have misbehaved. Do we condemn them, or do we seek to restore, forgive, show them kindness?
In most cases, the men and women who appear in pornographic images on the computer screen have misbehaved. Shamelessly engaging in sexual activity for the entertainment of an anonymous audience, they have violated decency. How will you and I deal with these people?
The "mercy" beatitude invites us to show mercy to them the way we have been shown mercy. Rather than look at them lustfully, recognize them for the image of God bearing people they are. Give them the most merciful gift you could give. The gift of turning away from their exposure, and follow that turning with a sincere prayer for them.
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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright
The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by
permission."
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