The Beatitudes by Arthur W. Pink
The Fifth Beatitude
"Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy"
In the first
four Beatitudes, which have already been considered, a definite progression of
spiritual awakening and transformation has been noted as one of the thrusts of
our Lord's teaching. First, there is a discovery of the fact that I am nothing,
have nothing, and can do nothing-poverty of spirit. Second, there is conviction
of sin, a consciousness of guilt producing godly sorrow-mourning. Third, there
is a renouncing of self-dependence and a taking of my place in the dust before
God-meekness. Fourth, there follows an intense longing after Christ and His
salvation-hungering and thirsting after righteousness. But, in a sense, all of
this is simply negative, for it is the believing sinner's perception of what is
defective in himself and a yearning for what is desirable. In the next four
Beatitudes we come to the manifestation of positive good in the believer, the
fruits of a new creation and the blessings of a transformed character. How this
shows us, once more, the importance of noting that order in which God's truth
is presented to us!
"Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." How grossly has this text
been perverted by merit-mongers! Those who insist that the Bible teaches
salvation by works appeal to this verse in support of their pernicious error.
But nothing could be less to their purpose. Our Lord's purpose is not to set
forth the foundation upon which the sinner's hope of mercy from God must rest,
but rather it is to describe the character of His genuine disciples.
Mercifulness is a prominent trait in this character. According to our Lord's
teaching, mercy is an essential feature of that holy character to which God has
inseparably connected the enjoyment of His own sovereign kindness. Thus, there
is nothing whatever in this verse that favors the erroneous teachings of Roman
Catholicism.
The position
occupied by this Beatitude in its context is another key to its interpretation.
The first four describe the initial exercises of heart in one who has been
awakened by the Holy Spirit. In the preceding verse, the soul is seen hungering
and thirsting after Christ, and then filled by Him. Here we are shown the first
effects and evidences of this filling. Having obtained mercy of the Lord, the
saved sinner now exercises mercy. It is not that God requires us to be merciful
in order that we might be entitled to His mercy, for that would overthrow the
whole scheme of Divine grace! But having been the recipient of His wondrous
mercy, I cannot help but now act mercifully toward others.
What is
mercifulness? It is a gracious disposition toward my fellow creatures and
fellow Christians. It is that kindness and benevolence that feels the miseries
of others. It is a spirit that regards with compassion the sufferings of the
afflicted. It is that grace that causes one to deal leniently with an offender
and to scorn the taking of revenge.
It is the
forgiving spirit; it is the non-retaliating spirit; it is the spirit that gives
up all attempt at self-vindication and would not return an injury for an
injury, but rather good in the place of evil and love in the place of hatred.
That is mercifulness. Mercy being received by the forgiven soul, that soul
comes to appreciate the beauty of mercy, and yearns to exercise toward other offenders similar grace to that which is exercised towards
one's self (Dr. A. T. Pierson).
The source of
this merciful temper is not to be attributed to anything in our fallen human
nature. It is true that there are some who make no profession of being
Christians in whom we often see not a little of kindliness of disposition,
sympathy for the suffering, and a readiness to forgive those who have wronged
them. Admirable as this may be, from a purely human viewpoint, it falls far
below that mercifulness upon which Christ here pronounced His benediction. The
amiability of the flesh has no spiritual value, for its movements are neither
regulated by the Scriptures nor exercised with any reference to the Divine
authority. The mercifulness of this fifth Beatitude is that spontaneous outflow
of a heart that is captivated by, and in love with, the mercy of God.
The
mercifulness of our text is the product of the new nature implanted by the Holy
Spirit in the child of God. It is called into exercise when we contemplate the
wondrous grace, pity, and longsuffering of God toward such unworthy wretches as
ourselves. The more I ponder God's sovereign mercy to me, the more I shall
think of the unquenchable fire from which I have been delivered through the
sufferings of the Lord Jesus. The more conscious I am of my indebtedness to
Divine grace, the more mercifully I shall act toward those who wrong, injure,
and hate me.
Mercifulness
is one of the attributes of the spiritual nature that one receives at the new
birth. Mercifulness in the child of God is but a reflection of the abundant
mercy that is found in his heavenly Parent. Mercifulness is one of the natural
and necessary consequences of a merciful Christ indwelling us. It may not
always be exercised; it may at times be stifled or checked by fleshly indulgence.
But when the general tenor of a Christian's character and the main trend of his
life are taken into account, it is clear that
mercifulness is an unmistakable trait of the new man. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again;
but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth" (Ps 37:21). It was mercy in Abraham,
after he had been wronged by his nephew, that caused him to pursue and secure
the deliverance of Lot (Ge 14:1-16). It was mercy on the part
of Joseph, after his brethren had so grievously mistreated him, that caused him
to freely forgive them (Ge 50:15-21). It was mercy in Moses,
after Miriam had rebelled against him and the Lord had smitten her with
leprosy, that caused him to cry, "Heal her now, O God, I beseech
Thee" (Nu 12:13). It was mercy that caused
David to spare the life of his enemy Saul when that wicked king was in his
hands (1Sa 24:1-22; 26:1-25). In sad and striking
contrast, of Judas it is said that he "remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man" (Ps 109:16).
In Ro 12:8 the Apostle Paul gives vital
instruction concerning the spirit in which mercy is to be exercised: "he
that showeth mercy" is to do so "with
cheerfulness." The direct reference here is to the giving of money for the
support of poor brethren, but this loving principle really applies to all
compassion shown to the afflicted. Mercy is to be exercised cheerfully, to
demonstrate that it is not only done voluntarily but that it is also a
pleasure. This spares the feelings of the one helped, and
soothes the sorrows of the sufferer. It is this quality of cheerfulness that
gives most value to the service rendered. The Greek word is most expressive,
denoting joyful eagerness, a gladsome affability that makes the visitor like a
sunbeam, warming the heart of the afflicted. Since Scripture tells us that
"God loveth a cheerful giver" (2Co
9:7), we may be sure that the Lord takes note of the spirit in which
we respond to His admonitions.
"For
they shall obtain mercy." These words enunciate a principle or law that
God has ordained in His government over our lives here on earth. It is
summarized in that well- known word: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall
he also reap" (Ga 6:7). The Christian who is
merciful in his dealings with others will receive merciful treatment at the
hands of his fellows; for "with what measure ye meet, it shall be measured
to you again" (Mt 7:2). Therefore it is written,
"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
findeth life, righteousness, and honour"
(Pr 21:21). The one who shows
mercy to others gains personally thereby: "The merciful man doeth good to
his own soul" (Pr
11:17a). There is an inward satisfaction in the exercise of
benevolence and pity to which the highest gratification of the selfish man is
not to be compared. "He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he" (Pr 14:21b). The exercise of
mercy is a source of satisfaction to God Himself: "He delighteth
in mercy" (Mic 7:18). So must it be to us.
"For
they shall obtain mercy." Not only does the merciful Christian gain by the
happiness that accrues to his own soul through the exercise of this grace, not
only will the Lord, in His overruling providence, make his mercifulness return again to him at the hands of his fellow men, but the
Christian will also obtain mercy from God. This truth David declared:
"With the merciful Thou wilt shew Thyself merciful" (Ps
18:25). On the other hand, the Savior admonished His disciples with
these words: "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses" (Mt
6:15).
"For
they shall obtain mercy." Like the promises attached to the previous
Beatitudes, this one also looks forward to the future for its final
fulfillment. In 2Ti 1:16,18, we find the Apostle Paul
writing, "The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus.
. . . The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that
day." In Jude 1:21, the saints are also exhorted
to be "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ"-this refers to
the ultimate acknowledgement of us as His own redeemed people at His second
coming in glory.