MERCY OF GOD
INTRODUCTION
Mercy of God is forgiveness and pardon by a merciful and gracious God towards sinful mankind; reflecting His pardoning grace, removing sin, through the Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle John wrote: If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, 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 transgression 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; and 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 toward a sinful mankind is declared in God's Word based on the redemptive work of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ). Cast all of 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.
Mercy of God
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 to confess them before God; which opens the door for His forgiving and cleansing light to purify our hearts.
John continued in saying: 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 numerous times in the Book of Psalms; with many of the Psalms being 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.
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 (sin) from us (Psalm 103:8-12).
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, including 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. I have watched this film numerous times with tears welling up in my eyes each time. A scene, that 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 have 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 repentance of nations; the merciful hand of God, to restore them to their former allegiance to God!
There are nations who have had great spiritual revivals in the past, but have succumbed to the ungodliness of man. There is a vast array of promotion of ungodliness 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 cites wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethesda! For 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. 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 have 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 judgement, 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.
Seed of Ungodliness
Many nations need to awake to whom they owe their greatness too. Many have allowed the seed of ungodliness to be planted in their midst; 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 growth. Many do not recognize the unrighteous seeds 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 the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. There is forbearance and tolerance where before the Word of God was honored to its fullness.
If Immorality Prevails
A legendary evangelist of the first Great Awakening, Charles G. Finney stated: Brethren, our preaching will bear its legitimate fruits. If immorality prevails in the land, the fault is ours to a great degree. If there is a decay of conscience, the pulpit is responsible for it. If the church is degenerate and worldly, the pulpit is responsible for it.
If Satan rules in our halls of Justice, the pulpit is responsible for it. If our politics become so corrupt that the very foundations of our government are ready to fall away, the pulpit is responsible for it. Let us not ignore this fact; but let us lay it to heart, and awake to our responsibility in respect to the morals of this nation.
God's Word Proclaimed
The mercy of God comes through His Word being proclaimed by anointed men of God. Nineveh repented of its sins because God sent the Prophet Jonah to give warning to the inhabitants of that great city. Scripture reveals: As Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey (on the first day), he cried out, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).
We are told 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 their repentance: And 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.
God has His Watchmen sounding the alarm, to stand in the gap for the land that He would not destroy it; are we seeing a Nineveh type response, or a continuation of ungodliness? Many nations (and individuals) are in dire need of a renewal of their commitment towards God; that the mercy of God may be extended, as in the case of Nineveh.
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