blessed are the merciful

Today we finally look at the 5th beatitude in Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.

Now first off this is not talking about salvation by works like some could take this.  This is referring to sanctification which is the process we are make holy until the end, not justification which is when we are declared righteous by on the basis of Christ's sacrifice.

At first this beatitude seems easy mostly because our sees mercy as a feeling, But when had mercy he didn't just have a feeling but he was moved into action by that mercy. In James 2 it says

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

but I would say this can read without works mercy is dead too. 

Jesus once told a parable that illustrated this very concept to peter. The context is peter wanted to how many time he would have to forgive his brother so Jesus told this parable in Matthew 18

   
    ²¹Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" ²²Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
    ²³"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. ²⁶So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' ²⁷And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. ²⁸But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, 'Pay what you owe.' ²⁹So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' ³⁰He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. ³¹When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. ³²Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' ³⁴ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. ³⁵ So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."

so in light of this parable how can I not forgive someone for a sin against me when we have been forgiven a whole life of sin.