How is value determined?

Beatitudes

A character description

Tests for the authenticity and health of our faith

  Jesus is describing the blessed, happy character of the disciples of the Kingdom of God.

These are character traits of the people of God.

Tests for the authenticity of our faith

Tests for the health of our faith

Being sensible of the mercy that we have received, we show mercy to others.

What mercy isn’t?

Mercy is not a natural trait

Not political compassion

Not bleeding heart compassion

How do grace and mercy differ?

Mercy is the love of God in Christ spilling over in your life to meet the real needs of others. (1 John 3:16-17; James 2:15-16; Luke 6:36)

Why do we pity the miserable?

General Robert E Lee.

Isn’t their misery their own fault? (Aren’t I so much better?)

God is unfair. I certainly hope so!

Yes

Now, what does that mean?

Necessary condition, or cause and effect?

Mercy, by definition, cannot be earned, or merited.

The gift of showing mercy is a broad gift which includes visiting and attending the sick; caring for the poor; showing love and compassion toward orphans and widows; and, showing kindness to believers who are suffering emotionally, who may be going through a personal crisis. Although this gift applies to the deaconate and the order of widows (1 Tim. 5:9ff.), it is not to be restricted to the deacons’ work. Indeed, it is something that all believers should cultivate as a Christian duty. "Since our God is a merciful God (e.g., 12:1), his people must be merciful too." (John Stott) "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt. 5:7).

Those who are to show mercy are not to do so begrudgingly with a negative or sour countenance, but must do so "cheerfully." The purpose of the gift of showing mercy is not to make the afflicted feel sad or to cause them to think they owe some type of debt; but rather, to raise their spirits, to bring joy to the heart and a smile to the face. "This spares the feelings and soothes the sorrows of the afflicted." Calvin writes: "For as nothing gives more solace to the sick or to any one otherwise distressed, than to see men cheerful and prompt in assisting them; so to observe sadness in the countenance of those by whom assistance is given makes them to feel themselves despised."(Calvin) Interestingly, the Greek phrase en hilaroteti translated "with cheerfulness" could literally be translated "with hilarity." The Christian who helps those in distress is not to be a stoic figure or automaton. He must be a figure of robust joy and even laughter. "How much we need a cheerful, hilarious spirit in the church!" (Boice) The idea that Christians must always be grim and dour is clearly legalistic and unbiblical.

– Brian Schwertley