The Beatitudes are very helpful for the Christ follower; they teach the character and lifestyle we should emulate.  Christ said, "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7).  Mercy is a compassionate and forgiving response that a person gives even when he or she has been wronged. 

God's ways are interesting.  If we want to receive mercy from others, we must give it away first.  Why?  Because God, in Christ Jesus, already gave mercy to each one of us for salvation.  Now, God is watching to see if we, as grace recipients, will be merciful to one another.  We have been recipients of great forgiveness and that makes us now responsible to forgive others.   Remember the Lord's prayer?  "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" (Matthew 6:12).  Those who are unwilling to forgive have simply failed to perceive the mercy of God in their own lives.

Have you ever read the parable of the Unforgiving debtor?  Get your Bible and turn to Matthew 18:21-35; read it carefully.  Judgment awaits us when we are unmerciful. Jesus expects his disciples to have a limitless readiness to forgive others.  When we show mercy, God blesses us!  Choose mercy.