In Matthew 5:7 Jesus states a principle that is found throughout the New Testament. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”. If we expect to receive mercy from God at the judgement then we must show mercy to others in this life, even those who are our enemies. Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-45. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” God blesses both those who love Him and those who don’t in this life. If we wish to be His spiritual children, then we must strive to act as God does. In Romans 12:17 the Apostle Paul said, “Repay no one evil for evil”, and in verses 20 and 21 he adds, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty give him a drink”. Jesus puts this principle bluntly in Matthew 6:14-15 where He says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”