Blessed Are the Merciful-Part Three

In Part One Co-Host Bobby and I spoke on the principle that we at times need mercy so we should extend mercy to others. The promise is if we extend mercy we will receive mercy. In Part Two Bobby and I focused on the definitions of mercy and how to apply mercy in a practical sense and that God calls us to show mercy to others. In Part Three we talk about Mercy and Justice. Showing mercy does not mean we condone sin or not hold others accountable.

Woman Caught in Adultery
A woman was caught in the very act of adultery. She should be stoned according to the New Testament. Jesus writes twice on the ground and says “You who have no sin cast the first stone. The accusers leave. Jesus showed mercy to the woman caught in adultery but told her to go and sin no more. (Notice that whoever committed adultery was shown mercy also.) In this example Jesus is dealing with the hypocritical Pharisees and introducing the New Covenant. He was not winking at adultery because Jesus said at another time lusting after a woman was the same as adultery.

Sexual Sin, Consequences, and Mercy
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Apostle Paul confronts the Corinthians that they have winked at a church member having sex with his father’s wife. He says they should excommunicate him from the church and turn him over to Satan. That is justice. But Paul says the purpose is for the destruction of his flesh so that his spirit is saved, that is mercy.

Not Tolerate Sin in the Church
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Apostle Paul goes further and says do not associate with sexually immoral greedy, swindlers, or idolaters, revilers, drunkards that call themselves Christians. The purpose is because such individuals do harm to the body of Christ, the church. So justice demands judgment upon such individuals for the protection of the church. Of course, the goal is the same for the man having sex with his father’s wife. So there can be repentance and restoration. That is mercy.

In our next podcast we will be giving an example of showing mercy when injustice has taken place.