Two more beatitudes

Matthew 5:7-8 (NKJV)

"Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.

"Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God."

Well, the "outline for biblical usage" for merciful is, um, merciful. Here's my understanding of it..."Grace is receiving that which we don't deserve; Mercy is not receiving that which we do deserve." There is no commentary in my Bible about this verse, so I'm assuming everyone pretty much agrees on that basic meaning.

In many ways, I think this relates back to being meek - at least the part of it that I struggle with - I don't hold my tongue as often as I should in customer service situations, etc, and I can see how in many cases, I am presented with opportunities to be merciful. I don't think we need to be doormats when it comes to receiving what we've paid for, etc, but I do think there's a way to take care of things while still being merciful. Gonna think on this one some more...

The definition of pure in heart...

1) pure
c) ethically
1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
3) blameless, innocent
4) unstained with the guilt of anything

2) heart
b) denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life
2) the centre and seat of spiritual life
a) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours
b) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence
c) of the will and character
d) of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions

I read this verse as saying that those who turn from their sin and seek God sincerely with all of who they are (verses just intellectually) will see Him. Seems easy enough, and yet I know there are sins that I'm holding on to out of selfish desire (no, no, nothing scandolous, but sin nonetheless).

Dylan is up and poking at my computer, so I'm going to end there and just spend some time in prayer.