Meet the Merciless

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

No one really disputes that there is cruelty in the world. There is however dispute as to its cause. There is also disagreement as to its solution. Some argue that religion is the cause, and others argue that religion is the solution. Radical atheists argue the former and explain it in terms of anthropology and natural selection. They see religion (especially Christianity) as a scourge on society and the great cause of cruelty in the world. Their tainted views and pre-suppositions lead to their inability to distinguish biblical Christianity from cultural Christianity and so they argue against the truth of scripture and exclusivity of Christianity on the grounds of distinct differences between the cultures of the world. This is a flawed naturalistic explanation of the problem.

These atheists are unable to think outside of the natural (metaphysically) and so they fail to understand that although the world has many distinct geographic/environmental/religious cultures, there is an underlying cultural understanding that unites the populations of the world. Hard-wired into humanity is a wicked and worldly culture that is contrary to and combative against the holiness of God. This worldly culture has been consistent throughout human history. It is one of the distinctions between homo sapiens (that's us) and animals. Even with our ability to reason, we still commit atrocities that have nothing to do with survival. They are simply evil. Murder is murder no matter where you live in the world. Even in a culture that allows for democracy and the freedom to choose good and right, we choose that which is self-serving. The darkness of our deeds does not become apparent to us until they are exposed by God's light (John 1:4-5; 8:12; Eph. 5:8-11). Until then, we march along believing that we are basically "decent" beings and that this gains God's acceptance. Regardless of where you live in the world, Romans 1 unites all under the indictment that no one is without excuse.

This is what is radical about the beatitudes. They are contrary to the corrupt worldly culture that grips the planet. The beatitudes are not what we do as much as who we are and that is why any attempt to convey our "decency" to others by working them out on our own terms falls short. Our false notion of "decency" becomes evident due to a faulty comparison. We compare ourselves with other people and other cultures and we purposefully choose those who according to our own standard are "bad" people. This is done to make us look "good". However when we compare ourselves to the holiness of God and His standard (the beatitudes as one example), we find ourselves depraved. This becomes especially evident with regard to the spiritual virtue of mercy. We can compare ourselves to others and appear to be merciful but we cannot fool God because His standard of mercy is demonstrated through the cross of Jesus. In our fleshly attempts to muster mercy, we demonstrate how merciless we really are for we often use the suffering and plight of others to gain favor with God and this results in futility, for no one can merit His grace. Our true motivation and expression should come from God. It is because we love God and have undeservedly experienced His mercy, that we extend love and mercy to others. We recognize the devastating bondage of sin that grips humanity and we mercifully extend the good news that there is freedom in Christ alone. May we daily flee and abandon the garment of self-righteousness making ourselves available to be active instruments of God's great mercy.