In this second part of our study of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), we begin to look outwardly at what Jesus says about our relationships with others. Matthew 5.3–6 focuses on our inner character. In verse 7, Jesus begins to outline the principles of what kingdom life looks like on the outside.
Read Matthew 5.7.
Mercy is about generosity. In the context of the kingdom of God, it means we freely give to others what we’ve freely received from God. God’s undeserved mercy covers all of our brokenness and shortcomings. Because He has extended mercy so generously to us, we’re called to extend mercy to others.
In the Greek translation, to be merciful means to be kind, sympathetic and compassionate. It combines an inward response with an outward action. A person with this quality finds outlets for their merciful nature—they find ways to care for the poor and afflicted, help the wretched, and rescue the miserable. And they do this with unselfish motives. We show mercy by getting into another person’s shoes: seeing with their eyes, thinking with their thoughts, and feeling with their feelings. Jesus demonstrated this kind of mercy when He came to earth to experience the same struggles, pain, temptations, and disappointments that we face.
Daniel 9.9 says, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.” Mercy is a verb. God didn’t just feel mercy and compassion toward us; He did something about it. When we were at our worst, God extended mercy and forgiveness to us (Ephesians 2.1–5). This theme is reiterated in Titus 3.4–5: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”
It was in mercy that God saved us. His sympathy and compassion toward the suffering, the outcast, the downtrodden, the miserable, and the transgressor compelled Him to forgive. His forgiveness originates from compassion. If mercy was behind salvation, then forgiveness is the fruit of mercy.
Read Matthew 18.32–35.
Our God is a merciful God, and He expects that those of us who have received His mercy will be generous in giving it away. He expects that we will forgive others like He has forgiven us.
Question: What makes it hard to forgive others? What motivates you to forgive, even when it is difficult?
When it comes to showing mercy to others through forgiveness, there are four truths to know:
1. Forgiveness isn’t a suggestion; it’s a commandment.
Ephesians 4.30–32 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Forgiveness is an act of obedience that opens the door to God’s blessings of mercy and forgiveness. Forgiveness is so significant that it’s the only thing that Jesus repeats twice in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6.12, 14).
Question: Practically speaking, how do you forgive someone? What are concrete steps to take when you forgive?
2. Unforgiveness produces dreadful consequences.
When we refuse to forgive others, we give bitterness an avenue to come in and set up camp in our lives.
Read Hebrews 12.14–15.
Unforgiveness affects every area of our lives. Our entire outlook on life becomes negative and cynical. We’re unable to trust others. It can cause people to become physically sick and is often why our prayers are not answered (see Mark 11.24–25). When we hold something in our heart against somebody else, we are the most affected person. It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick.
Question: Have you seen unforgiveness at work in your own life or in the life of someone close to you? What were some of its effects? How did it affect your relationships with Jesus and with others?
3. Forgiveness requires a decision of faith, not a feeling.
Forgiveness—just like love—is a decision, not an emotion. It’s difficult because it requires us to release to God our desire to get even. In life, pain is inevitable. But suffering as a result of offense is completely optional. Nobody can make us bitter unless we allow it. Through Christ, we have God’s ability to forgive every offense and live free from bitterness.
4. God’s forgiveness enables us to forgive others.
Often the reason we don’t forgive others is because we don’t understand what forgiveness is. Forgiveness is not pretending that nothing happened. It doesn’t mean that we ignore what’s causing us pain. It’s not about burying what offended us. It doesn’t cause amnesia so that we forget what happened. And forgiveness doesn’t mean that what happened was okay.
Forgiveness IS a decision of faith. It initiates a healing process that causes events of the past to lose their power over our lives. Forgiveness is like a scar: when you see it, you remember what happened. But when you touch it, it doesn’t hurt anymore.
Question: Think about a time when you had to forgive someone for hurting you. What feelings come up when you think about it? How do you think extending forgiveness helped you grow in your relationships with God and with the person you forgave? Do you have any unforgiveness in your heart that still needs to be dealt with?
God wants to do great and new things in us. He wants to heal our hearts and set us free, but we miss out on His blessing if we’re unwilling to extend mercy to others. We can’t wait for a feeling. Our prayer shouldn’t be “Lord, help me forgive”, but rather, “Lord, as You have forgiven me, I choose to forgive in obedience to You.” Blessed are the forgivers, for they will be forgiven.
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