This is the tenth in a series of articles on the subject—Do You Know God? In the final three articles, we will learn of God’s mercy, grace, and patience. These are three of the more familiar aspects of God’s nature. Let’s study the Scriptures together as we seek to learn what the Bible teaches about The God of Mercy.
Mercy has been defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. This definition is consistent with the Bible’s portrayal of God. On numerous occasions, sinful man has stood in opposition to the plan and purposes of God. Justice would have resulted in death. Instead, God has chosen to respond with mercy – showing compassion and offering forgiveness to the sinner.
It’s interesting to note that God is described as “the Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 3:1). This is an apt description given what the Bible reveals about God’s mercy. It can be easily argued that man would be hopelessly lost without God’s mercy.
All have “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As pointed out in previous articles, God is Holy and can have no fellowship with sin. He is Light and can have no fellowship with darkness. Sin separates from God. Mercy makes reconciliation possible.
In writing of his own salvation, Paul recounted, “ . . . I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy . . . ” (1 Timothy 1:13, emphasis added). This is true of all who have been saved by the blood of Christ! “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ . . . ” (Ephesians 2:4-5, emphasis added). Praise be to The God of Mercy who has shown compassion and forgiveness to the penitent sinner!
Let’s now consider three Biblical truths that are based on this aspect of God’s nature . . .
The New Covenant Is Based On God’s Mercy. In writing of the New Covenant’s superiority to the Old Covenant, the Hebrew author quoted the words of God spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Where would we be had God chosen not to be merciful to sinners? Jesus established what has come to be known as The Lord’s Supper on the night of His betrayal. As He drank the fruit of the vine, Jesus spoke of the covenant to be established through His death, “ . . . for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). God could have chosen to punish all sinners eternally; instead, He gives all the opportunity for eternal life as a result of His merciful nature.
Through Jesus We Can Approach God’s Throne Of Mercy. Once in covenant fellowship with God, we can continue to avail ourselves of His mercy: “Therefore let us draw near with confidence . . . so that we may receive mercy . . . to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We continue to have need of God’s mercy as we continue to fight the daily battles of life. During these times, it is truly a blessing to know that God looks upon us with mercy and is there to help in time of need.
The God Of Mercy Calls Us To Be A People Of Mercy. As benefactors of God’s mercy, we should learn how to practice this same trait in our treatment of others. Jesus taught His disciples, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). There are times when we should show compassion towards those who are within our power to punish or harm. How can we expect God to be merciful to us if we are not willing to be the same with others? “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).
Do you know The God of Mercy? If you have not done so, call upon God’s mercy as you obey His plan of salvation to be forgiven of your sins. Approach His throne of mercy so you may find help in time of need. And finally, practice mercy in your interactions with others. Come to know The God of Mercy today!