Bread From Heaven

Mercifully Blessed

Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Help us to have mercy on others so we can obtain mercy. Help us to have the right motives. Help us to be at peace with all men.
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

mercy:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mercy
1 compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence:
2 the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing:
an adversary wholly without mercy.
3 the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4 an act of kindness, compassion, or favor:
She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5 something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing:

Mercy identifies with the needs and feelings of other people. Mercy benefits others, and not ourself in the moment. Mercy treats others even better than they deserve. When someone makes an error, mercy assists in recovering from that mistake. One of the best explanations of mercy I stumbled across is this; Mercy is putting ourselves at risk for the redemption of others who have erred under the power of sin, following the example of Christ. Mercy remains humble and puts the needs of others before self.

Mercy sees distress. It responds with compassion. It attempts to relieve the observed distress, and it acts even when the one in distress is an enemy.

Mercy is also emphasizing with other people. It is being able to identify with others as closely as possible. Mercy seeks to understand their experience. It takes a good, long, and hard look at the needs of other people. It considers their feelings and motives.
Hebrews 4:14-16 ▼

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Mercy is a core characteristic of a genuine Christian. Mercy actively helps others and doesn't just idly stand by when it observes a need. Mercy shows kindness when a severe penalty is expected. It sees the miserable condition of sin.

Mercy is more than just a feeling. It is an action. It is having a tender heart full of compassion for those who are in pain and/or suffering and it seeks to help relieve the pain and/or suffering. Merciful people are willing to go out of their way to help others. Being merciful is a way of life, not just isolated or occasional acts of charity.

Mercy is not getting the punishment we justly deserve for wrongs we have inflicted towards others or for sins against God. Mercy does not deny the right to be upset with sin. Mercy turns the anger towards the sin and away from the sinner. Mercy eases suffering, lifts burdens, and removes debt.

Grace

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_in_Christianity

Grace - to favor or honor; a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior

Grace is getting the blessings and favor we don't deserve because we have sinned.
Grace is a gift, favor, and kindness. It is unearned favor. It is receiving unearned pardon from our sins. We have mercy because of Grace.
Ephesians 1:6-7 ▼

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1 Timothy 1:12-15 ▼

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Grace, mercy, and peace all go together.
1 Timothy 1:2 ▼

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grace is God's love for those who are guilty of sin. Grace covers the sin, deals with the cause of the sin, gives us (mercy) what we don't deserve, and is unmerrited pardon and Salvation. We have the mercy of Salvation through the grace of God.
Titus 2:11 ▼

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Justice and Mercy

Justice - 1. just behavior or treatment. 2. a judge or magistrate, in particular a judge of the Supreme Court of a country or state.

Love and holiness are 2 of the main attributes of God. Mercy is an expression of God's love. Mercy is his love for those in distress, removes the pain, doesn't give us what we deserve, and is unmerritted forgiveness and healing. Mercy deals with the symptoms of sin.

Justice and mercy needs to go together. Justice without mercy is cruel. Mercy without justice is a cheap imitation. Mercy is compassion in action for people in need. Mercy, in the context of Justice, is real and it is costly. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
James 2:13 ▼

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

God is a God of both justice and mercy. They need to be mingled together. Sometimes one must choose an act upon the greater good for the greater number of people.

Forbearance

Forbearance - patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

God sets an example to be longsuffering and forbearing. God's mercy is perfect and infinite.
Psalms 103:8-18 ▼

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Compassion

Compassion - sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

The Lord is full of Grace, mercy, and compassion. He is slow to angry, and not always angry as some people like to portray him. All of his works are covered in mercy. God is longsuffering and patient and kind. He is everything good.
Psalms 145:8-9 ▼

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Forgiveness

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgiveness

Forgiveness - a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge.

Forgiveness, gentleness, and kindness are also all forms of mercy.

We ourselves have been forgiven a debt we could never repay. Jesus paid a debt for us on the cross that leaves no room for bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts. What we have suffered is small I comparison to what Christ suffered on the cross. He not only paid for our debts but the sin debt of everyone in the entire world. We must forgive if we want to be forgiven. We must give mercy if we want to receive it.
Matthew 6:14-15 ▼

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

In the Lord's prayer another statement is made similar to mercy is received when mercy is given. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 6:12 ▼

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Self-Defense

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defense

Is it right for a Christian to defend themselves? With all this talk about mercy, does God permit me to use self-defense? Self-Defense requires God's wisdom, understanding, and some tact. Let me see if I can give you some insight and boundaries so we can know when and if it is right for us to defend ourselves.

Self-Defense is illustrated in one of the greatest acts of love.
John 15:13 ▼

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

There are Scriptures supporting both self-defense and passivity. I personally believe it depends upon the situation. If someone insults you or does a minor offense like a slap on the cheek, turn the other cheek. Don't retaliate. If someone is threatening to severely injure or mame you or threatening to take your life, by all means and any means necessary, defend yourself. I think the general rule of thumb should be Romans 12:18. As much as lies within you, pursue peace with all men. Violence should only be a last resort, and whatever we do should align with the will of God.
Romans 12:18 ▼

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Self-Defense is not to be used as any kind of retaliation. It is not to be a vengeful reaction to a slight or offense.
Matthew 5:39-42 ▼

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Turning the other cheek when being insulted or to a minor offense is different than when you are being fully physically assaulted or experiencing another act of violence against you.
John 18:22-23 ▼

22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

We must rely on the wisdom that comes from above to know when it is right to defend ourselves and to know in what way to do it. God looks on the heart and the motives that are in the heart while man looks at the outward appearance.
James 3:17 ▼

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Rather we choose to defend ourselves or we decide to extend grace and mercy, it comes from what is in our heart.
1 Peter 3:4 ▼

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

God Is Merciful

It is God's character to show mercy to the merciful. Mercy is also a fruit that is produced and grown as a result from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Psalms 18:25-26 ▼

25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Mercy sets the person who does wrong free from fear of punishment. The person who is not free from fear has not been perfected in God's love.
1 John 4:18 ▼

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Because God is merciful, we should also show mercy. Those who submit to God in Salvation will naturally respond with an attitude of mercy towards others. We will naturally offer relief to someone we see in a miserable condition.
Ephesians 4:30-32 ▼

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Mercy and kindness is what lead sinners to repentance, not criticism and condemnation.
Romans 2:4 ▼

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Sin is harmful. It leads to destruction and death. Mercy is lovingly pointing out sin, explaining why it is wrong, and it's serious consequences.
Matthew 18:15 ▼

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Galatians 6:1 ▼

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

James 5:20 ▼

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Salvation is an act of God's mercy, not a reward for obedience or for your own righteousness. God will have mercy on whomever he chooses.
Romans 9:14-18 ▼

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

God shows us mercy because he loves us.
John 3:16 ▼

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Salvation is an unmerited gift from God.
Titus 3:4-7 ▼

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Peter tells us that being burned again is an act of mercy from God. The second birth is God's Salvation because of his mercy.
1 Peter 1:3-5 ▼

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

God provided Salvation as an option for us because he doesn't want anyone to perish. He desires everyone to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 ▼

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

In fact, God delights in mercy.
Micah7:18 ▼

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

This is the character and nature of God. This Scripture shows the heart of God I think.
Nehemiah 9:16-17 ▼

16 But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.

Even if God is angry enough to destroy you, if you repent from the heart and change your behavior and attitude, God may have mercy. He may change his mind and not destroy you after all. When this verse says he repenteth him of evil it means he will change his mind about the evil he had thought against you. God does not sin and doesn't need to repent for sin.
Joel 2:12-13 ▼

12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

The Word of God is a Sword

STATIC

The Word of God is a Sword  (E) Dream warning to be careful how I handle the Word of God #2261065 by Marvelous Friend

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

We must be careful how we handle the word of God and direct it toward others. Remember God's Word is like a two-edged sword. We can help others with it, but we can hurt others too. Be careful when you correct another or point fingers at other people's sins. Pay attention to the people who are around you.

Suffering for Righteousness

What does it mean to suffer for righteousness? I was always under the impression that it was the obvious, suffering because someone is persecuting you for your beliefs in Christ. It is being put to death or punished because you refuse to denounce the name of Christ.

However, suffering for righteousness can include more than just persecution. Isn’t enduring temptation without yeilding also a form of suffering? What about choosing not to go to that restaurant with your friends because there will be a lot of drinking, skimpily dressed servers, and cursing? Has anyone been ridiculed because you chose not to watch a certain movie because of its content? What about some types of fasting? There are more than one way to suffer.

When I Googled the word suffer, here is the definition I got - experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant). I believe any form of suffering for righteousness will be blessed by God. We are always blessed when we seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Our flesh suffers when we deny its lusts, but we grow spiritually and come out better for it. When you suffer for righteousness, you can rejoice because you will have a reward in Heaven.
Matthew 6:33 ▼

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I believe this includes when you forgive, show mercy, and do not retaliate when someone offends you or mistress you. You will have mercy and forgiveness when you extend it to others. We are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto God. Are we willing to suffer the way Christ did? Are we truly willing to pick up his cross and follow him?
Romans 12:1 ▼

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Practicing Mercy

We are to not only be merciful, we are to love mercy. Wow! That's something to think about.
Micah 6:8 ▼

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

We are to provide mercy to others because we have been in need and received mercy too. Any act of disobedience provides God and us with an opportunity to show God's mercy to everyone. Mercy doesn't ignore disobedience or enable depression. Mercy creates a path to mend and re-establish broken relationships, especially our relationship with God.
Romans 11:30 ▼

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

God prefers us to have mercy which is a weightier matter of God's law rather than ritualistic sacrifice and empty religious traditions.
Matthew 9:13 ▼

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus told the man that had been possessed with the devils to go and tell others how he had compassion (mercy) on him. Jesus wants us to tell others what he has done for us. It will bring him and the Father glory.
Mark 5:19-20 ▼

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

Mercy comes from mercy. We give mercy because we have received it. God blesses mercy. Mercy is also a blessing we receive from God.

In order to be a merciful person, we must first realize our poor condition due to sin. Then we become broken before God and grieve over our sin and poor condition. God gives us mercy because we have truly repented and sought his forgiveness.

Mercy comes from the heart. Our heart has felt spiritually bankrupt and grieved over sin. We brought it to our God and waited upon him. We hungered and thirsted for his righteousness. We received mercy from him, and now we must extend that same mercy to others because we too have been in a hopeless state and lost. God desires us to have mercy and knowledge of him more than religious traditions and rituals.
Hosea 6:6 ▼

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

God desires to have a close, intimate relationship with us. He desires our real love and affection toward him. He doesn't just want us to go to church to perform traditions, ceremonies, rituals, and formalities meaninglessly. He wants our worship to be expressed from our hearts.

Do you want someone to just say they love you and do only the minimum required, or do you want them to show you in deed that they love you and act passionately towards you? God feels the same way we do. God has feelings too. Remember we are made in his image.

Bondage to religious trivialness and regulations are the opposite of mercy. It is more important to be eternally and internally clean and right with God than to be ceremoniously clean and an enemy of God. It is hard to truly have mercy when we are preoccupied with trivial matters and other worldly cares. The sacrifice spoken of in Matthew 9 and Hosea 6 is referring to empty religious formalism. Mercy, with judgement and faith are the weightier matters of God's law. There are many people even today who are caught up in formal religious activity with no eye to see distress in others, feel pity, to give relief, and especially not to an enemy.
Matthew 23:23-24 ▼

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Mercy keeps us from holding grudges, harboring bitterness, or hanging onto other harmful emotions. Having mercy towards others is good for our own soul. Those who do not show mercy and pursues evil does it to their own harm.
Proverbs 11:17-19 ▼

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

Have you noticed a reoccurring theme in this study? Show mercy to receive mercy. Forgive to be forgiven. You reap what you sew.
Galatians 6:7-10 ▼

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

God saves the humble and merciful because they realize their need and cry out to him.
Isaiah 66:2 ▼

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

James 4:6-10 ▼

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Mercy allows us to show our love for God and our fellow man. If we love God, we will love others because God is love.
1 John 4:6-8 and 20-21 ▼

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

By having mercy, we resemble our Father, the God of mercy. We also see again the principle of reaping and sewing. God is passionate and goes to extremes to bless us. Be careful if you are cursed by him for the same reason.
Luke 6:35-38 ▼

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Through your own desperate need for God's mercy, you are able to respond to others with compassion. You are able to respond with action to relieve the distress of others and you are able to respond with no strings attached. Remember how God has shown you mercy many times over, again and again. Reflect God's mercy to others. Where mercy, judgement, and justice seem to conflict, mercy always wins.
Romans 81-6 ▼

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Resources ▼

https://www.creators.com/read/kids-talk-about-god/10/08/how-do-the-merciful-obta...

https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/matthew/the-kingdom-of-heaven-at-wo...

https://www.theologyofwork.org/new-testament/romans-and-work/gods-character-is-t...

https://www.gotquestions.org/blessed-are-the-merciful.html

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-the-merciful

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_5:7

https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/christian-conversion/the-sermon-on-the-mount...

http://www.sounddoctrine.net/Nick/topical/Beatitudes/Blessed_are_the_merciful.ht...

https://ocoy.org/original-christianity/gnosis-of-the-ten-commandments-and-the-be...

https://slidetodoc.com/blessed-are-the-merciful-the-sermon-on-the/

https://slideplayer.com/slide/14960768/

https://www.slideshare.net/arvi_bernardo/beatitudes-9319859

https://www.slideserve.com/zed/blessed-are-the-merciful

https://www.slideshare.net/marvinadel/mercy-and-grace

https://slideplayer.com/slide/15011025/

https://www.bsfinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/BSF_Matthew-SermonSt...

https://www.gotquestions.org/self-defense.html

https://www.openbible.info/topics/defending_yourself

https://www.ktsa.com/does-jesus-christ-support-self-defense/

https://www.compellingtruth.org/self-defense.html

https://likeabubblingbrook.com/when-you-feel-the-need-to-defend-yourself/

https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/5/Matthew-5-7.html

https://www.bibleref.com/James/2/James-2-13.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/mercy-triumphs-over-judgment.html

http://www.stlamerican.com/religion/inspirational_message/judgment-without-mercy...

https://www.dallasweekly.com/articles/spiritually-speaking-judgment-without-merc...

https://gentlechristianparenting.com/show-mercy/

https://www.clsnet.org/document.doc?id=65

https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/grace/mercy-and-grace/