This may be odd to the reader, but not to the values of the Kingdom of God. This is the positive spin of the extension of mercy. It feels warm and sentimental. Why? Because we all see ourselves as merciful people and we all want to be shown mercy. The negative way of saying it (which Christ does elsewhere) has less of a hallmark feel to it--If you don't forgive, I will not forgive you. If you don't show mercy, you will not be shown mercy. Not so nice that way is it?

Would you consider yourself a fair person? I bet the answer to that question is a yes. Well, often times showing mercy isn't fair. So, if you want to show mercy, you will have to betray a degree of your fairness and opt for the unfair realities of grace and mercy. But showing mercy is not intuitive. In fact if we went with our intuition, we would never show mercy and we would never give grace. We would be relentlessly pursuing fairness at all costs (like an accountant with checks and balances)... at least as it pertains to our treatment to others. For us, we want to be treated with mercy. We also want to be treated in accordance with our intentions, not with our actions. Our treatment of others? Most likely by their actions and not their intentions.

Apparently in order for mercy to keep flowing... it has to be flowing in an endless circle of motion. We are shown mercy and we show mercy and are shown mercy and we give mercy and we take mercy and we give it and take it and need it and need to give it... etc. etc. etc. Break the circle of mercy flow at your own risk. Cutting off the flow of mercy to others is like cutting off your life-line. Do not cut this wire!!!

Matthew 5:7