Mercy Begets Mercy Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Mercy Begets Mercy-------------------------- Date: 10/6/2001 Keyword: "mercy" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. This is the fifth in a series of studies on the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5. Jesus spoke these words to a mixed group of disciples and nondisciples. Passage: Matthew 5:7* "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Questions 1. Are you surprised that Jesus lists "mercy" in His description of the "blessed" (or "happy") life?   2. According to this verse, what is the prerequisite for receiving mercy? Does that surprise you?   Practical help Every person needs mercy from God. You do, and so do I. The problem is that we don’t deserve mercy. In fact, mercy is never deserved — or it wouldn’t be mercy! Mercy is getting favor when we deserve something else — namely judgment. Whatever Jesus is saying here, He definitely does not mean that if you or I want to experience His saving mercy, we have to first be merciful to others. What He does mean, though, is that those who are able to relish His mercy and enjoy it to the full are those who freely bestow it on others. The way to best enjoy God’s rich mercy is to learn to be gentle, kind, merciful, forgiving and gracious to those in your world. Why don’t you start by being merciful to the men and women and children whose bodies appear on the Internet? Rather than do them the injustice of viewing them in sexually compromising situations, show them mercy. Let yours be one pair of eyes that will not violate them. Then, run to God and let Him shower you with His superabundant mercy which will strengthen you for another day of resisting temptation! eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2001 by eXXit *"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."