13 – Bienaventurados los Misericordiosos (I) – [El Sermón del Monte]

The Importance of Mercy in Judgment

Understanding the Beatitude of Mercy

• The speaker references Matthew 5:7, emphasizing that "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

The Vision of Final Judgment

• A description is given of a vision from Revelation where John sees a great white throne and an imposing judge, indicating the inevitability of facing divine judgment.

• It is noted that all individuals, regardless of status (great or small), will stand before God at this tribunal.

Distinction Between Eternal Outcomes

• The speaker highlights that some will face eternal punishment while others will enjoy eternal life with God, raising questions about what determines these outcomes.

Human Nature and Sinfulness

• Citing Romans 3:10-12, it is stated that no one is righteous or seeks God; all have sinned and turned away from goodness.

The Role of Mercy vs. Justice

• The key difference in outcomes lies in whether individuals sought God's mercy or relied on their own righteousness; those who sought mercy received it, while others faced condemnation.

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Self-Righteousness vs. Humility

• In Luke 18:9-13, Jesus tells a parable contrasting a self-righteous Pharisee with a humble tax collector who acknowledges his sinfulness.

Attitudes Toward Prayer

• The Pharisee boasts about his good deeds while the tax collector pleads for mercy, illustrating two different approaches to seeking God's favor.

Outcomes Based on Attitude

• Jesus concludes that the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee because humility leads to exaltation while pride leads to humiliation.

Facing Divine Judgment

Personal Reflection on Judgment Day

• The speaker prompts listeners to consider how they wish to be treated by God—through justice or mercy—when facing Him on judgment day.

Seeking Mercy Over Justice

• Emphasizing again Matthew 5:7, he reiterates that those who desire mercy must also extend it to others.

Misunderstanding Mercy and Salvation

Clarifying Misconceptions About Mercy

• It is clarified that God's mercy does not depend on our own acts of mercy; salvation cannot be earned through works but comes through faith in Christ's righteousness.

Sermon on the Mount as Reflection

Understanding God's Mercy

The Nature of Divine Mercy

• The speaker emphasizes that God's mercy towards us is not based on our goodness or actions, as stated in 2 Timothy 1:9. Instead, it is according to His purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus before we were born.

• The concept of mercy from God does not relate to any inherent goodness within us; rather, it reflects God's sovereign grace and purpose.

Characteristics of the Merciful

• According to Matthew 5:7, those who have received God's mercy are characterized by their own mercifulness. If one lacks mercy, they may not fully understand or have received God's mercy.

• The teaching suggests that understanding God’s mercy compels individuals to act with compassion towards others. Those who do not show mercy will ultimately face justice.

The Beatitudes Connection

• The speaker notes that the Beatitudes form a chain where each quality leads into the next. Being poor in spirit is foundational for being merciful; pride hinders this characteristic.

• Each Beatitude reveals deeper truths about one's character and disposition toward others, culminating in the call for mercifulness as a reflection of previous qualities.

Defining Mercy

• To evaluate whether someone is merciful, it's essential to define what mercy means accurately. This definition should be rooted in an understanding of God’s character.

• Mercy must be understood through the lens of divine nature; it is a reflection of God’s intrinsic qualities rather than mere human sentimentality.

Biblical Foundations of Mercy

• Exodus 34 illustrates God’s self-revelation as merciful and gracious. Moses’ desire to know God more deeply highlights the spiritual hunger present in those who seek Him earnestly.

• In response to Moses' request for knowledge, God declares His attributes—strong yet merciful—emphasizing forgiveness and compassion (Exodus 34:6–7).

Eternal Nature of Divine Mercy

• Psalm 136 repeatedly affirms that God's mercy endures forever, showcasing its unchanging nature throughout biblical history and events involving His people.

• Paul reiterates this theme by describing God as "the Father of mercies" (2 Corinthians 1:3), emphasizing salvation through His mercy rather than human works (Titus 3:5).

Understanding God's Mercy and Justice

The Nature of God’s Mercy and Justice

• The speaker emphasizes that starting with God leads to the understanding that His mercy is paired with justice, as seen in Exodus 34. God forgives sin but does not absolve the wicked.

• Many believe that God's mercy means He overlooks sin; however, the speaker clarifies that while God is merciful, He does not ignore wrongdoing.

• The speaker critiques a common misconception where individuals trivialize sin, suggesting that all lifestyles are acceptable. This attitude contradicts God's nature.

• Reference to Psalm 7:11-12 illustrates God's anger towards the wicked daily and highlights the necessity of repentance for salvation.

• Ephesians 2:4 serves as a pivotal verse defining mercy amidst humanity's sinful state, illustrating how humans are inherently deserving of wrath due to their sins.

Defining Mercy Through Action

• The apostle Paul describes humanity's dire condition due to sin, emphasizing our natural inclination towards disobedience and resulting divine wrath.

• Despite human corruption, God remains rich in mercy. His love compels Him to act on behalf of humanity's misery rather than merely feeling pity.

• Mercy is defined as action driven by compassion—an active desire to alleviate suffering rather than passive sympathy.

• Ephesians 2:4 highlights God's proactive approach in giving life through Christ despite our deadness in sin, showcasing true mercy in action.

• The Good Samaritan parable exemplifies genuine mercy through involvement and healing rather than mere acknowledgment of another's suffering.

The Intersection of Justice and Mercy

• Unlike the priest and Levite who ignored a suffering man, the Good Samaritan actively sought to relieve his pain—demonstrating true compassion through action.

• God cannot overlook sin; His justice requires satisfaction. This tension between justice and mercy culminates at Calvary where both attributes meet harmoniously.

• Christ’s sacrifice embodies divine love and mercy; He died for sinners without sparing Himself—a profound demonstration of grace amid judgment.

Characteristics of True Christian Mercy

• A contemporary author defines Christian mercy as heartfelt tenderness prompting believers to alleviate others' suffering actively—reflecting God's own disposition toward humanity.

• Christians should exhibit concern for others’ miseries regardless of merit or background; true compassion arises from witnessing suffering alone—not from assessing worthiness for help.

Understanding Mercy in the Context of Compassion

The Nature of Mercy

• The speaker discusses the concept of mercy, using the example of a Samaritan who helps a Jew despite historical animosities. This act emphasizes that true compassion transcends societal prejudices.

• Mercy is defined as God's compassion towards humanity, highlighting that it is not deserved but given freely. The speaker stresses that God’s heart was moved by human misery, leading to restoration.

Source and Root of Mercy

• The discussion shifts to the source of mercy, noting that no one is born merciful; it is not an inherent trait or temperament.

• Reference to beatitudes indicates that those who are merciful recognize their own lack of righteousness and thus seek justice from God, which fosters a desire for mercy towards others.

Understanding Indignity and Compassion

• Individuals who acknowledge their own unworthiness are more likely to extend mercy. They understand they have received grace they did not deserve.

• The relationship between recognizing one's indignity and showing mercy is emphasized; understanding God's compassion leads to compassionate behavior towards others.

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

• A parable illustrates this principle: a servant forgiven a massive debt fails to show mercy when owed a small amount by another. This highlights hypocrisy in failing to extend grace after receiving it.

• The servant's reaction post-forgiveness reveals whether he truly understood his situation; his refusal to forgive indicates he did not grasp the magnitude of his own forgiveness.

Consequences of Lack of Mercy

• The consequences for failing to show mercy are severe; the unforgiving servant faces punishment for his actions, illustrating divine expectations regarding forgiveness.

Understanding Mercy and Forgiveness in Christianity

The Necessity of Forgiveness

• The speaker emphasizes that forgiveness is essential, stating it must be given out of necessity due to the grace received from God.

• Christians are aware of their own sins and the patience God has shown them, which enables them to extend mercy to others.

Biblical Foundations of Mercy

• Reference to James 2:13 highlights that judgment without mercy will be faced by those who do not show mercy, indicating a divine expectation for compassion.

• A lack of mercy reflects a flawed understanding of one's own sins and God's goodness, which seeks salvation for sinners.

The Struggle with Sin

• When Christians recognize their sins through God's justice, they are compelled to seek His mercy rather than judge others harshly.

• The speaker contrasts the self-righteousness of the Pharisee with true humility found in recognizing one’s own weaknesses.

Compassion as a Christian Trait

• Genuine Christians are described as merciful because they have experienced divine mercy; however, they still face challenges due to remaining sin.

• Despite being merciful, Christians can sometimes act contrary to this disposition due to human weakness.

Distinction Between Believers and Non-Believers

• Unlike non-believers who may embrace cruelty or pride in harshness, Christians struggle against these impulses and desire compassion.

• For believers, acting mercifully is an internal battle; they feel troubled when tempted towards unkindness or vengeance.

Growth in Spiritual Grace

• True Christians view life differently; their desire for mercy indicates spiritual maturity despite ongoing struggles with sin.

• Emphasis on growing in spiritual graces such as humility and hunger for righteousness is crucial for believers' development.

Continuous Development in Faith

• 2 Peter 3:18 encourages believers to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, highlighting the need for continual spiritual growth.

• While all Christians are called to be merciful, none fully embody this trait until reaching heaven; thus growth is necessary throughout life.

Metaphor of Gardening for Spiritual Growth

• An analogy about planting seeds illustrates how neglecting spiritual growth leads to stagnation while nurturing faith allows it to flourish.

Understanding the Nature of Grace and Mercy

The Dichotomy of Sinners

• The speaker emphasizes that all individuals are sinners, but there is a crucial distinction: some are forgiven while others are not.

• Those who have sought divine mercy have received it, leading to the growth of new life in Christ, unlike those who rely on their own righteousness.

The Role of God's Word

• The Apostle Paul identifies the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

• Hebrews 6:7-11 illustrates that land receiving rain can produce beneficial crops or thorns; only fruitful land receives God's blessing.

Assurance for Believers

• The author acknowledges that some members of the church are true believers and reassures them that God remembers their work and love shown to others.

• There is an encouragement for believers to maintain diligence until the end for full assurance of hope.

Warning Against False Security

• A warning is issued about those who initially showed mercy but later isolated themselves from fellow believers; they risk being unfruitful despite appearances.

• The text warns that those producing bad fruit face dire consequences—being cursed and destined for destruction.

Growth in Compassion

• Christians must grow in mercy; preaching serves as a means to nourish this grace within true believers.

• Listening to God's word reveals one's spiritual condition; genuine desire for compassion indicates good soil in one’s heart.

Self-reflection on Spiritual Growth

• Individuals are encouraged to reflect on their spiritual journey—whether they exhibit compassion or harbor thorns and thistles due to pride and selfishness.

• Regular exposure to God’s word should yield positive spiritual fruit; mere attendance does not guarantee transformation.

True Discipleship Defined by Mercy

• Jesus teaches that true disciples produce fruit according to their capacity; one significant aspect is compassion towards others' suffering.

• Those lacking a desire for mercy may not be partakers of divine grace—a stark reminder from Christ about judgment based on mercy received.

Conclusion and Call to Prayer

A Prayer for Grace and Transformation

The Struggle with Sin

• The speaker acknowledges the hardness of human hearts, expressing a desire for divine intervention to soften them.

• There is a plea for help in confronting the sin that resides within, which leads individuals to seek vengeance and act cruelly towards others.

• The prayer emphasizes the need for growth in grace, highlighting the importance of becoming more like Christ each day.

• This transformation is framed as essential for overcoming personal struggles with sin and fostering compassion towards others.