3 Bible Tips: The Beatitudes - Merciful
1. God blesses those who are merciful—forgiving and compassionate of those in need—with His mercy.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7; see also Psalm 18:25).
2. Jesus expands on our need to forgive others as a prerequisite of being forgiven.
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:12, 14-15).
3. In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus also expands on our need to compassionately care for those in need as part of preparing for the blessing of His Kingdom.
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me'" (Matthew 25:34-36).
For more about being merciful, see "How to Be a Good Neighbor."