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Paul Smith
God has used this verse over the years to teach me a great deal about being mature as a Christian. Like all of Gods Word this simple verse is only the tip of the ice burg as it were. It has spoken to me many times and in many ways over the years.
I once looked up the English dictionary meaning of mercy. The word is simply huge in its meaning. Some of its meaning is to forgive, have pity on, to love.
God is perfect loving and just yet merciful. He requires his children to do likewise. It is human nature to easily be offended or to seek revenge. Yet God calls us to forgive as we are forgiven. To love as we are loved. To have pity and be merciful as he has been to us.
The reasons are beyond what one could write in such a brief note.
Here are a few. Our eternal reward is based on obedience to Jesus. Our mental health and enjoyment of life. To grow spiritually as born again believers. To become productive members of the body of Christ.
In Mat 5:44 in the KJV Jesus gives us 5 commands. Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that persecute you and dispitefully use you.
Only a merciful, loving, forgiving person can do this.
Because it is impossible to do this in our flesh we must first be saved by the blood of Jesus and restored. Then we can love and forgive as we are. Also we can do what seems impossible by asking for his help to love.
Being merciful and forgiving is rewarded by God also we read in Mat 5:46 .
Jack Gutknecht
James, I ALWAYS like the answers given by James Kraft! Especially your answer here: "Amen Bro. God’s mercy does edure forever. It works the best when we show mercy to others. How are hearts are so warmed by the fire Jesus puts in us. Love overcomes a multitude of sins. Action requires faith, but lip service does nothing." Did you mean "our hearts?"