Sermon XXIII - Comforts to those that are of mercifull spirits - Matthew 5:7
believe this Scripture refers to God's mercy prevailing over the judgment of the law and condemnation. However, I understand it differently. When judgments are executed upon a kingdom or families, the mercy shown to the afflicted will cry out, and the Lord will hear the cries of mercy during times of judgment. The mercy they extended to others will plead on their behalf. Regardless of the judgments that may come, that soul can confidently say that the Lord intends mercy for them. The merciful person will be delivered. Even if there is a storm in the land and misery abounds, the Lord will remember that person's acts of mercy towards the afflicted. The merciful person can rejoice amidst judgment, as they are above judgment. The Lord has revealed Himself to them by instilling a merciful disposition, and thus, they need not fear judgment. Their mercy will speak for them, preventing judgment from taking hold.
Therefore, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. In times of trouble, the merciful person will triumph and boast over judgment. Judgment will not prevail because their acts of mercy will be remembered in their time of distress.
SERMON XXIII
OR Comforts to those that are of merciful spirits
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Matthew 5:7
Know that this is a significant proof that you truly hunger and thirst for righteousness. Therefore, Christ joins it with the statement,
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
You may think that your heart desires righteousness, and God knows that you can appeal to Him, testifying that you indeed hunger and thirst for righteousness. But at times, you may doubt the genuineness of your hunger and thirst. Here is a rule: Do you possess a merciful heart towards others? While you hunger for God's righteousness, does your soul also desire the well-being of others?
Do you seek to do them good, both physically and spiritually? This is evidence of the truthfulness of your hunger for righteousness.
However, if you take pleasure in having a desire for righteousness while harboring a cruel and unmerciful heart towards others, your hunger for righteousness is flawed. These two qualities are intertwined and cannot be separated. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness; blessed are the merciful. Unmerciful individuals do not genuinely desire grace. This paves the way for addressing the second part of the application.
Whatever encouragement could be further discussed, we shall incorporate it into the exhortation.
Therefore, secondly, there is a reprimand for unmerciful individuals, those whose hearts remain unaffected by the miseries of others and have no concern for their well-being as long as they find contentment for themselves. Some of you may regard this topic as a common and merely moral point. I do not know what weight you assign to it, but I have found, and you may also find it if you examine the Scriptures, that mercy is not only emphasized in the Old Testament but also in
the New. Christ places significant importance on mercy, second only to faith itself. Consider these three key aspects: faith, mercy towards others, and unity among believers. These are the three fundamental aspects that the Gospel emphasizes the most. I know of no other point that is as extensively covered in Scripture as mercy, and this particularly in the context of the Gospel. Many religious professors underestimate the significance of mercy, viewing it as an ordinary matter. As a result, they lack the conscientiousness to exercise this grace as they should. However, if you understood the Scriptures, you would recognize that Christ places great value on mercy. "Blessed are the merciful." Therefore, be aware that:
Firstly, an unmerciful heart is wretched and vile. You who care only for yourselves, as long as your tables are filled, your backs are clothed, your houses are furnished, and your children are provided for, regardless of the plight of others—what distinguishes you from them? What makes your flesh superior to theirs, justifying your indifference to their welfare? Oh, wretched and vile heart! Why are you more important than others? It does not matter what happens to them. Such an attitude should be directed towards you. Some people, upon gaining more than others, not only fail to extend their souls to assist others but also regard them with contempt, despising the poor, as mentioned in Proverbs 14:21. They hold those beneath them in disdain, those in a lower social standing or less fortunate condition.
"He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who has mercy on the poor." Beware of such a disposition; God does not look favorably upon it. Moreover, there are those who spend their resources on their own desires rather than on the necessities of the poor. They have more than others and could use their abundance to bless the less fortunate, but instead, they squander it on their own lusts—for the gratification of their appetites or indulging in excess.
They are unwilling to freely donate even a small sum for good causes
and helping others. They lavish pounds on their unclean and immoral desires, while neglecting the needs of others. They have no conscience when there are numerous divine commands to show mercy and when the excellence of mercy is repeatedly emphasized, declaring the blessedness of the merciful individual. As for you, who possess more than others but allocate it solely to satisfy your lusts, you are an unwise soul. How foolishly you employ your wealth! You could use it in a way that would cause hundreds to bless God because of you. Instead, you use it to accumulate guilt upon your soul. And there are others who, although they may give something, do so begrudgingly, only parting with what is forced from them. There is no freedom, no joy in their acts of charity towards others. If anything is given, they consider it a loss. It is gone. But whatever is consumed by their own appetites or spent on personal vanity—whether in sports, entertainment, or excessive drinking—that is not seen as wasted. They do not appreciate the significance of their distribution to others, viewing it as a squandering. This is an indication of a carnal heart that does not understand the ways of God. If you truly comprehended what is written in Scripture, you would consider the portion of your estate given with a merciful heart for the relief of others as the most valuable part of your wealth. Likewise, there are those who plan to give something to the poor or others upon their death, but during their lifetime, they selfishly live only for themselves. They cannot trust God for anything, and as for promises such as those found in Scripture, they are of no importance to them.
These individuals may regard them as mere empty words. I shall address these individuals, those with callous and unkind hearts towards others, those who are entirely self-centered.
Firstly, it is certain that you do not know God, regardless of what you may say about religion. If you possess an unmerciful heart towards others, you are a man or woman who does not know God. I will
present this Scripture as evidence: "There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land" (Hosea 4:1). No mercy and no knowledge of God are mentioned together. Certainly, where there is knowledge of God, there will be mercy. As the Psalmist says, "The dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty." In dark souls that lack knowledge of God, acts of cruelty abound. You can conclude that anyone with a cruel disposition, a hard-hearted disposition, a stingy and selfish disposition, simply does not know
God. If they understood who God is and the abundance of mercy He possesses, if they recognized His delight in mercy and His glory in bestowing goodness upon His creatures, it would be impossible for their hearts to be so ungenerous.
Secondly, God has a significant contention against you. You may argue that you are not obligated to help specific individuals and that there is no evil in not wronging others. However, your lack of mercy is sufficient to provoke the Lord's contention against your soul. In the aforementioned verse, Hosea 4:1, it is written, "The Lord has a contention with the inhabitants of the land because there is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land." God contends with that land, that family, that person who lacks mercy. Can you withstand
God's contention?
Thirdly, know that your disposition is entirely contrary to that of God. Therefore, it is a despicable one. No disposition is more opposed to God's disposition than a cruel, harsh, and hard-hearted one. God is mercy itself. Your heavenly Father is merciful. As we discussed earlier, God is the God of mercy. Therefore, your heart possesses a disposition that stands in direct opposition to God. There is a vast difference and opposition between the disposition of God's heart and the disposition of your heart.
Fourthly, a curse rests upon your heart. Undoubtedly, a hard heart is cursed. There are dreadful diseases in the depths of the soul, where the heart is hard, corrupted, devoid of compassion. There is a curse upon such a spirit. No curse could be greater than a hardened heart that is devoid of the fear of God and refuses to do good to others.
Fifthly, there is a curse upon everything you possess. An unmerciful person has no sanctified use of their possessions. You keep your estates and believe they are entirely your own. You may say, "Can't I do whatever I please with what belongs to me? Can't I eat, drink, and indulge myself with my own possessions?" However, your unmercifulness defiles and curses everything you own. In Luke 11:41, there is a peculiar statement: "But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you." It's an unusual expression, suggesting that without this act of mercy, nothing is clean to a person. Those who do not share what they have but keep everything to themselves find that nothing they possess is clean. In other words, nothing is sanctified; everything is defiled and cursed.
Consider the context: in verse 39, the Pharisees were preoccupied with external cleanliness. The Lord told them, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness." They were meticulous about cleaning cups, dishes, and other external objects. They focused on ceremonial cleanliness and their own form of superstitious purification. Instead,
Christ says, "But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you." Therefore, if you have been blessed with wealth beyond others, if you have more than what is necessary and can afford some moderate enjoyment, use the remainder to alleviate the suffering of those in need. This is the proper use of the possessions that God has entrusted to you. By doing so, everything in your possession will be sanctified. However, if you possess a base, miserly, and self-centered disposition, keeping
everything for yourself, for the sake of pomp, luxury, and personal pleasure, then nothing is clean to you. No matter how grand and splendid your possessions may appear in your house, they are all defiled and cursed. Thus, it is an evil thing to possess an unmerciful heart towards others.
Sixthly, be aware that the suffering of others continually cries out against you. While you are comfortably situated in your home, free from pain, hunger, and trouble, many fatherless children, widows, and Saints who are in dire circumstances cry out to heaven on account of you. They seem to say, "Lord, you have granted such and such individuals great wealth, yet here we are without bread. This suffering is caused by those who have more than enough but are entirely self-centered, preoccupied with satisfying their own desires."
Seventhly, know that not only carnal individuals but also many who profess religious faith are guilty of this. Many of them have callous and cruel hearts. They believe that attending sermons, praying in their families, and perhaps abstaining from worldly defilements are sufficient to please God. They value the ordinances of worship and ceremonial purity. While it is good to focus on these aspects, if you neglect the work of mercy towards those in need while engaging in these practices, all your religious acts are like filth and refuse in the sight of God. God does not care for any acts of religion when an unmerciful heart is present, no matter how diligent you may be in attending sermons, praying, fasting, or participating in any other religious ordinances. Let me provide you with a couple of noteworthy
Scriptures to support this. The first is found in James 1:27: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Here, the Apostle clearly states that pure and undefiled religion consists of visiting orphans and widows in their
affliction. If this passage were from the Old Testament, some might argue that it pertains to the legalistic aspects of religion. However, here in the New Testament, the Apostle emphasizes that pure religion encompasses these actions. Those who desire to keep themselves unstained from the world, to be free from defilements in worship, and to have a purer form of religion should pay attention to their involvement in acts of mercy. This is the epitome of pure religion and undefiled before God. We need more individuals who embody this kind of purity, Puritans who genuinely practice mercy and compassion towards others. Another remarkable Scripture that supports this idea is found in Isaiah 58. If you read the various expressions in that chapter, you will find verse 3 to be quite full of meaning. It states, "'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?'
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers." It would be better if we never engaged in such fasts, where the purpose is to pursue personal pleasure and engage in strife and contention. Then, in verse 5, the passage questions whether such a fast is pleasing to the Lord: "Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?"
Instead, verse 6 provides a clear answer: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?"
Moreover, it includes feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, clothing the naked, and not neglecting your own flesh and blood. We are to regard everyone, even strangers, as our own flesh and blood. Only then will "your light break forth like the dawn."
Therefore, in times of fasting, let us focus on this aspect. This is the fast that God requires. Fasting and alms should go hand in hand. The more we fast, the more merciful we should be towards others.
Otherwise, our fasting is worthless. Though there are more Scriptures to support this, these two are particularly relevant. They demonstrate that where there is no mercy, everything is rejected.
Even our prayers are rejected. Zechariah 7:6 states, "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?" In verse 10, the Lord speaks, saying, "Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another." You only had yourselves in mind when you fasted and prayed.
Eighthly, if you possess an unmerciful heart, your prayers are not only unaccepted but also act as witnesses against you. When you come before God to pray for mercy, while remaining unmerciful yourself, the Lord will bring your prayers as witnesses against you.
He will say, "Behold, here is a cruel, hard-hearted wretch. When given the opportunity, they will exploit others to the fullest extent, allowing them to perish and suffer without any concern. Yet they come to me seeking mercy." Know that during your prayers, the Lord will remember all your cruelty and hardness of heart towards others.
This is the evil consequence of your lack of mercy.
Ninthly, you can expect that God will harden others against you.
Tenthly, know that this sin of cruelty and hardness of heart towards others is worse than a heathenish sin. Josephus, in his fifteenth book of Antiquities, chapter twelve, tells a notable story about Herod, whom you can read about in the Scriptures. Herod Agrippa, the one who was killed by worms, Josephus speaks of him during a time of widespread famine and calamity. Herod melted all the gold and silver in his possession, even the exquisitely crafted pieces, to make money. He spared nothing for the sake of fashion and craftsmanship.
With the proceeds, he bought corn and distributed it to the poor,
providing them with work as well. He also gave a significant portion to strangers. Moreover, because the famine was so severe that people didn't even have seed to sow their fields, he not only provided bread but also seed for the next year's harvest. Thus, even wicked Herod, whom we condemn, demonstrated such mercy to those in misery.
But here, it must be acknowledged that the blessed ones are those who are merciful. Indeed, they are blessed if their mercy is graciously extended as an act of faith, offered in the name of Christ. However,
Herod's example was primarily an outward display of mercy. Despite being ungodly and reprobate, he showed remarkable compassion towards those in need.
The eleventh point is that the Lord declares unmercifulness as the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. One of the great charges against Sodom was their lack of mercy. In Ezekiel 16:49, the Lord accuses Sodom of its vile and enormous sins, stating, "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." This sin was one of the reasons why Sodom was destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven. Therefore, unmercifulness is undoubtedly a greater evil than we realize. The evil of being unmerciful is worse than we can imagine. Therefore, I beseech you to examine yourselves and be humbled before the Lord for this sin. Every individual with a substantial estate has reason to examine their conscience. You may say to the Lord, "You know that much of my wealth has been wasted on vanity and my own desires. Yet, when it comes to a good cause, I hesitate to give even a small amount, while hundreds of pounds are spent purely on my will and desires." Be humbled for this sin, for the Lord sees it differently than you do. This sin may be the reason God completely forsakes you in times of distress.
But the main point is an exhortation. Since Christ pronounces the merciful as blessed, let us embrace this grace of mercy. Oh, how we need more merciful individuals in these times of crying out for mercy! Sadly, this is also the worst time for hardness of heart and cruelty. Surely, anyone who amasses wealth through base means in these times can expect a curse upon that wealth more than ever before. Therefore, this Scripture is timely. May the Lord imprint it upon your hearts, so that you may depart with it written within you:
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." There have never been such objects of mercy. Many have endured woeful extremities, even for the sake of God, and other saints of God cry out for mercy. We have received mercy ourselves; it is a time of God's mercy toward us. We hear of mercy every day, almost every week.
One mercy follows another. This town surrenders, that army is utterly defeated and plundered. We were afraid we would fall into the hands of cruel, bloodthirsty soldiers, but the Lord has delivered us from them. He has magnified His mercy in keeping England and this city alive, preserving our families and our estates to the extent that they have been preserved. It is a time of mercy. The depths of God's mercy are so vast, so tender towards us, that it calls for us to show mercy to our brethren. Let us look around and see nothing but mercy. There are places where they see nothing but signs of God's displeasure, justice, wrath, and misery. But wherever we look, we see mercy. Even now, as we gather here, we can see one another as objects of God's mercy, having the liberty to exercise and join together in calling upon God, in praying to Him. What mercy is this?
And since these times, hasn't God been merciful to your souls, revealing His Gospel and the glorious aspects of eternal life to you?
When you return home, what can you see but mercy? Look at your spouse; there's mercy. Look at your children; there's mercy. Look at your table; there's mercy. Look at your servants; there's mercy. Look at your bed; there's mercy. Look at everything in your house; mercy
is written upon it. Look at your own body; there's mercy. Take the Bible and read about God's eternal plans for your eternal well-being; there's mercy. A family can kneel down and thank God for preserving and providing all the outward comforts they need. There is nothing but mercy around us. In the midst of such mercy, how can we be unmerciful? All these mercies cry out to you, calling for mercy towards others.
Furthermore, consider the beauty and excellence of mercy.
Chrysostom made a remark about mercy, stating that it is more excellent than the ability to raise the dead. Even if God were to grant someone the power to raise the dead, having a heart that is merciful towards those in misery would still be a greater good. We need not rely solely on Chrysostom; the Scriptures themselves contain profound expressions regarding the excellence of mercy. These expressions should cause us to wonder how anyone professing godliness can lack compassion towards those in need. Scripture presents six notable expressions regarding the excellence of this grace.
The first is that it is called the administration of service, the service of God (2 Corinthians 9:12). Many people cling to their traditional liturgy and find it hard that it has been taken away from them. Here, however, you have a liturgy that you can keep, one that is accepted by both God and men. Embrace this liturgy—the works of mercy. It is called God's liturgy, whereas you used to call the liturgy Divine service. Here is a Divine service that you can offer to God. All of you who possess wealth can engage in this Divine service. You may complain to one another, saying, "If only we could have our Divine service back." Well, now you can have it every day, and it will be even more acceptable to God than before—abundantly so. Therefore, since
it is gone, make up for it by engaging in this ministry, this liturgy, as the word originally meant.
The second commendation of this grace is that it demonstrates the professed subjection of individuals to the Gospel. Until one's heart becomes merciful towards others, they have not fully submitted themselves in a professing manner to the Gospel. You cannot truly demonstrate a professed subjection to the Gospel until your heart is filled with mercy towards your brethren. This is clearly stated in the same Scripture, 2 Corinthians 9:13, where the relief and mercy towards others are referred to as the professed subjection to the Gospel. Therefore, if you desire to manifest a professing subjection to the Gospel, proclaim that the Gospel has been mercifully revealed to you by the Lord, causing your hearts to turn away from worldly things and extend mercy to those in need. In doing so, you manifest your professing subjection to God's Gospel.
Thirdly, it is called the exceeding grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:14).
The Apostle was deeply moved by the fact that God enlarged their hearts in mercy towards others. He referred to it as the exceeding grace of God, surpassing ordinary grace.
The fourth commendation is that it is called the unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15). The Apostle declares it as the unspeakable gift of God. When God grants you a heart to be merciful to others, you give to them that which God has given you. This is truly an unspeakable gift from God.
The fifth expression from Scripture is this: it is called a sweet smell (Philippians 4:18). If you want your houses to smell sweet, you can achieve it through acts of mercy. It is the best perfume in the world.
Even the wealthy use incense to perfume their houses, but if you want your home to smell sweet, perfume it with works of mercy.
When you show mercy to others, you have perfumed your houses, your bodies, and your souls. It creates a sweet smell that is pleasing to God.
The sixth expression is that it is an acceptable and pleasing sacrifice to God. There are three aspects to consider. If you want to offer a sacrifice to God, the work of mercy is both a sacrifice and one that is acceptable and pleasing to Him. In 2 Corinthians 9:14, it is referred to as a sacrifice that is acceptable and received by God. So, when you perform acts of mercy, you are offering a sacrifice. The altar on which this sacrifice is offered is the person in misery. In Hebrews 13:16, there is a similar expression stating that acts of mercy are a sacrifice that pleases God. Therefore, when you die, what will bring you more comfort: the realization that you spent so much in a tavern or that you relieved the needs of numerous poor people? Will you reflect on how much you spent on your own desires or on a whore, or will you rejoice that you were a means by which many poor and distressed individuals blessed God because of your acts of mercy? Isn't it better to leave behind a sweet memorial of works of mercy than material possessions? Your acts of mercy will serve as a testimony before God on the day of judgment (Luke 16:9). They won't merit salvation, as the Papists teach, but they will testify on your behalf. As the learned
Chemnitius explained, when rich individuals fail and become sick or die, there may be ministers of God who were once poor scholars and were helped by them. These ministers will testify and say, "Lord, I was a poor youth, and if this person hadn't shown mercy and provided me with an education, I would have spent my days in poverty. Through Your mercy, You have made me an instrument of good in Your Church, and this person was a great means of it through their generosity and mercy." This testimony will speak well of them on the day of judgment. Similarly, a poor family may testify,
"If it hadn't been for this person, we would have perished and
starved. Lord, have mercy on this individual who showed us mercy."
Therefore, make friends through your unrighteous wealth, the riches that are often used in unrighteous ways, to sustain people's lusts. The more friends you make in this manner, the Lord will accept you, and you will be received into everlasting habitations. This will be an incredible reward for your acts of mercy. While you may be preoccupied with making your house grand and splendid, consider the possibility of obtaining everlasting habitations. Those who show mercy in a gracious manner have this promise.
Now, let's address some objections that hinder the work of mercy.
Some may say, "I am poor and insignificant." Scripture reveals that even poor people should be merciful. Though you may be able to do very little, do something. Remember the story of the widow's mite, which was accepted more than all the treasures of the rich (2
Corinthians 8:1). The churches in Macedonia, despite their great trials and deep poverty, abounded in generosity.
Others may claim that their wealth is uncertain and that they need to reserve something for themselves. Ecclesiastes 11:1 provides excellent guidance in this regard: "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." Give to others, even if your wealth is uncertain. The Holy Spirit uses your concerns about uncertain times as an argument in favor of mercy. When troubles come, give even more abundantly, knowing that the works of mercy will bear fruit. Just as the clouds gather rain from the earth and then pour it down, don't keep your wealth to yourself. Instead, pour it out onto the poor, who are in great need. You have accumulated wealth through various means, and now that you are rich, empty yourself for the sake of those who lie upon the earth. When a tree falls, it falls in the direction it leaned while standing. Similarly, the direction your
heart inclines will determine your actions. If you are abundant in mercy and good works, that is the direction in which you will fall. So, be found lying in that direction on the day of judgment, in proportion to the state of your heart and your works.
You might argue that you lack suitable objects for your acts of mercy.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 provides an answer to this covetousness: "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." If a farmer constantly watches the wind and clouds, afraid that the weather will not be favorable, they will never be able to sow or reap. Likewise, the Holy Spirit advises against scrutinizing the need for mercy and the suitability of the recipient. You might think,
"I may give to some who are good and some who are not, and I don't know if any good will come from what I give." But in Ecclesiastes
11:5, the Holy Spirit reminds us that just as we don't know how the spirit moves or how bones grow in the womb, we don't fully understand the works of God, who orchestrates everything.
Therefore, do not be discouraged by the apparent lack of results.
There are hidden ways in which God's providence works for His purposes and your good. So, continue to do all the good you can. In Ecclesiastes 11:6, it further advises: "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good."
Even if you see no immediate results, your acts of mercy may bear fruit in ways you cannot comprehend.
Finally, Hebrews 13:14-16 offers significant insight. It reminds us that we have no permanent city in this world and that we seek one to come. While we have no permanence, we can offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But in addition to praise, we should not forget to do good and share, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
But I may become destitute if I give. Look at Proverbs 28:27: "He who gives to the poor will not lack." Do you dare trust God for your soul's salvation based on His promise, but not trust Him for your body and material possessions? There is no surer path to need than having an unmerciful disposition towards others. The text states that he who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will face many curses. If you fear scarcity, why not engage God's promise that you will not lack? Scripture provides a way for God to be bound to you: "He who gives to the poor shall not want."
You may argue that your deeds of kindness will be quickly forgotten.
No matter how many good things you do, they are soon forgotten.
Refer to Hebrews 6:10. Perhaps you have done many good things in secret, which indicates that you do them in faith, fearing they will be forgotten. But fear not, for God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. Notice how God engages Himself.
Why should God take note of our actions? We can only do what we have received from God. Yet, God binds Himself in this way. It is as if He says, "Are you a merciful person? Do you do good in your community? I would be an unrighteous God if I forget you." God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love and your work in ministering to the saints. Serve the saints, and God will not forget your labor of love. He is not unrighteous to do so. It is unrighteous of people to forget what you do for them, but God will not be unrighteous to forget your labor of love in ministering to the saints.
You may argue that very few people act in this way and that you do as much as others. Consider Philippians 4:15: "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only." This was a commendation for the