Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7

Mercy is not getting what we do deserve.
Grace is getting something we don't deserve.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
I Timothy 1:13-14

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19

For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Deuteronomy 4:31

Jesus does not split forgiveness from deeds of mercy; they are all part of God's mercy.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
Matthew 18:32-33

Bottom Line

Being merciful flows from being rooted in God's mercy.

God's mercy is available to everyone.

God's mercy is not dependent on you or your effort.

God's mercy is rooted in reality.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Luke 7:47

Action Steps

Put yourself in a position to receive God's mercy, love and compassion this week.

• Confess your sin to God and/or someone you trust
• Spend time in silence asking God to fill you with His mercy
• Read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15
• Listen to worship music
• Journal

Be merciful to someone this week.