What does it mean to obtain mercy?

To obtain mercy is to experience the profound forgiveness and compassion of God. It is not a meritorious act but rather a state of receiving God's love and grace. As articulated in Matthew 5:7, the merciful are promised that they shall obtain mercy. This reflects a reciprocal relationship—our understanding and acknowledgment of God's mercy towards us leads to our ability to show mercy to others. It's a cycle of grace; having been shown mercy, we are then empowered to extend that mercy, promoting a community of grace and righteousness based upon God’s own attributes.