“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7) My obtaining mercy is connected to my giving mercy. My forgiveness is connected to forgiving (Matthew 6:9-15). Loving God is connected to loving others. “Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also” (1 John 4:20b-21). Generosity has two sides as well. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more” (Mark 4:24). Israel was to give the same welcome to strangers and aliens that God had given to them when they were strangers and aliens in Egypt. My treatment of others is connected to God’s treatment of me. In none of these cases is it saying we can earn it by doing it. It is saying that our relationship with each other is tied to our relationship with Him. Interconnected. Attached. Joined. Bound together. Coupled. Vertical and horizontal. Two-way street. It is never just you and Jesus; it can’t be just between you and God. The Scriptures everywhere affirm this.
