THE MERCY OF GOD
INTRODUCTION
The mercy of God is the compassionate act of withholding the punishment that human beings rightfully deserve for sin, while providing unearned love, care, and a path to restoration. Key Biblical Passages concerning the mercy of God: Tells us that the Lord’s steadfast love never ceases and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
God is rich in mercy and made people alive with Christ even when they dead in transgressions and sin (Ephesians 2:4-5); Describes God as merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8); and notes that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).
Core aspects of the mercy of God means not getting the condemnation or wrath that human actions and disobedience warrant; of divine love reaching out to comfort, heal, and provide relief when people face suffering, brokenness, or trial; being abundant and enduring, offering a fresh start to the repentant in heart; that you can obtain God’s mercy through humble repentance, faith, and prayer.
The Mercy of God
Redemptive Work of a Savior
The mercy of God is forgiveness and pardon by a merciful and gracious God towards sinful mankind; reflecting His pardoning grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle John wrote: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness (sinfulness), we lie, and do not (practice) the truth. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:6-7).
The Prophet Micah wrote: Who is a God like unto you that pardons iniquity and passes by (over) the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage? He retains not his anger forever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion on us; he will subdue our iniquities (sinfulness); he will cast all their (our) sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19).
It was noted that the forgiveness and pardon of a merciful and gracious God is declared in God’s Word based on the redemptive work of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ). Cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, to be remembered no more, is like that which is cast into the sea, destroyed and lost, irrecoverable, to rise no more.
Sins of Mankind
Apostle John wrote: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). It was noted that we should not deny our sins but rather confess them before God; which opens the door for His forgiving and cleansing light to purify our hearts.
John continued in writing: If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2). An advocate is a legal term for one who intercedes for another; propitiation is an atoning sacrifice. Jesus bore in His body the punishment due us for our sin; in so doing He satisfied God’s just demand that sin be punished.
Undeserved Mercy
The mercy of God is revealed many times in the Psalms authored by the Psalmist David, who knew first hand of the mercy of God in his own life. He spoke of undeserved mercy; that the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (Psalm 103:8).
He further wrote: God will not always chide (strive); neither will keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:9-12).
It was noted that merciful, gracious, slow to anger, amply illustrates the vastness, and greatness of the mercy of God, His removal of our sins, His compassion, included all created beings. According to the election of grace; chosen by God and redeemed by Christ, God forgives all transgressions, sins, and iniquities of every kind, to the repentant in heart.
Precious Blood of Jesus
I have a religious film titled “Ben-Hur” in my DVD library and have watched this film numerous times with tears welling up in my eyes each time. A scene, that particularly touches my heart, reflects the precious blood of Jesus, being intermingled with water, flowing from the scene of the cross, and performing a miracle (cleansing of lepers) in its passing.
I have seen other religious films, depicting the cross, that touched my heart as well; with tears of thankfulness welling up within me. The mercy of God is mentioned numerous times throughout God’s Word, and it will take the repentance of nations, or individuals, and the merciful hand of God, to restore such to their former allegiance to God.
There have been great spiritual revivals in the past, but later those affected succumbed to the ungodliness of man. We are witnessed a promotion of ungodliness, likening to the pre-Flood days of Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit, that is attempting to outweigh the godliness of man and adherence to God’s word.
Failure to Receive
Scripture reveals that Jesus began to upbraid (rebuke) the cities wherein most of His mighty works were accomplished, but they repented not: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethesda! If the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (signs of repentance). But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the Day of Judgment, than for you.
And you, Capernaum, which is exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works, which had been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for you (Matthew 11:20-24).
The mercy of God was shown through the mighty works that had been performed by Christ in those cities; the sad part was their failure to embrace the mercy being extended. Mercy equates to forgiveness, grace, and pardon. The same could apply to the mighty revivals in the past in lands that have now allowed ungodliness to gain an upper hand rather than continuation of that which was received through those revivals.
Seeds of Ungodliness
Many nations need to recognize the one who made them a great nation. Many have allowed the seeds of ungodliness to be planted; with no reproof or attempt to alleviate such. The works of the flesh, the lust thereof, is very much in evidence; having been allowed to nourish. Many do not recognize the unrighteousness being sown because of the laxity of God’s Word being promulgated.
Saints of old who proclaimed the fullness of God’s Word have gone on to their reward in glory, with a new generation coming forth, who have withdrawn from preaching and teaching of past generations. There is forbearance and tolerance where before the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God was honored to its fullness without compromise.
Significance of God's Word
The mercy of God is enhanced when the Word of God is proclaimed by anointed men of God. Nineveh repented of its sins because God sent the Prophet Jonah to give warning to the inhabitants. Scripture reveals: As Jonah began to enter in the city a day’s journey (on the first day), he cried out (declared), and said, yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).
It was noted that the people of Nineveh believed that which was proclaimed, turned away from their evil way, and from the violence that was in their hands. Scripture reveals the outcome of repentance: God saw their works, that they had turned from their evil way; and God repented (relented) of the evil, that he had said he would do to them, and he did it not (revealing the mercy of God) (Jonah 3:10).
God did not change in His ultimate intention toward the Ninevites; rather, they changed in their attitude toward Him. On the basis of that change God could deal with them in mercy; rather than judgment, as their failure to repent would have necessitated.
Offer of Repentance
Scripture reveals the offer of repentance was extended to King Solomon and Israel and those of today as well: If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Nineveh fulfilled all the named traits towards repentance and forgiveness.
Jesus offered a similar plea to the Laodicean church, and of today was well: I stand at the door, and knock (door of one’s heart); if any man hear my voice (invitation); and open the door (only you can), I will come into him, and will sup (dine or fellowship) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). The invitation has been extended; the decision has to be made while one is still breathing the breath of life.
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