Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Richard Mansel invites you to come visit his new, "Moving Word" blog. He will focus on helping us become writers. http://richardmansel.com/ COLUMN: LIVING THE FAITH Blessed are the Merciful by Richard Mansel, managing editor When we come through previous beatitudes, we see selflessness and a deep spiritual connection to God. In the first article, we learned that "blessed" referred to our communion with the Father. "We are rich spiritually if we do what the Sermon on the Mount dictates. The wealth contained in this sermon will create a lavish spiritual life, connected with God. The display of this wealth changed from the exterior to the inner person. 'The vague outlines of an abstract good vanish from it, and give place to the pure heart's vision of God, and its personal communion with the Father in heaven.'"/1 When we develop this attachment, and introspection, we begin to "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6, NKJV). Accordingly, this goodness contained in our new spiritual hearts, springs forth into helping our fellow man. We hunger to help others and our gentle hearts touch the hearts of others and soften them to the gospel. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Merciful means more than words. "Merciful means to feel sympathy with the misery of another, and especially sympathy manifested in act."/2 Mercy "is God's attitude toward those in distress."/3 Therefore, if we are merciful, we will display the same kind of passion in helping others who are hurting. We need to step back and realize that mercy is not standing and shaking our head at someone in need. Mercy involves action. The story of the Good Samaritan is a perfect example. Two men passed by, and may have expressed concern, but continued on their journey. Only one man stopped and did what God desires of all of us (Luke 10:25-37). All men have the capability to help others, but we have a higher calling to bring them to the Master, for spiritual healing (Matthew 10:28-30). We should be adamant about helping others because we know the true meaning and need for salvation (Luke 13:3-5). Salvation leads us to lift our hands to help the needy and lost because we have received transformation and salvation through Christ (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 12:1- 2). After that, how can we ever close our hands and hearts to others? ________ 1/ http://tinyurl.com/2d57d95 2/ W.E. Vine, Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Iowa Falls: World Bible Publishers, 1981), 3:61. 3/ Ibid. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/265prkc You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html