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God’s mercy

God’s love never fails. It just does not stop. We see Him some days through our own eyes, and we know our love can fail. But not God. And so, we can ask for mercy because we know God is merciful and His love does not fail.

  • God’s compassion is amazing.
  • Even though we do not deserve it, he just wipes the slate clean.

Jesus bleaches out every stain when we miss the mark. Some days the stains are overwhelming. How could I have done that? Jesus turns the worst stains into a white like we cannot imagine. God’s bleach never loses its ability to turn the worst stain white.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! [1]

Psalm 51:1-2

The terms mercy and steadfast love, as well as transgressions, iniquity, and sin, focus on God’s grace and kindness. The terms wash and cleanse come from the ceremonial system, where they refer to rites that allow a person to come safely into God’s presence.

Can I pass the test? Let us call it the mercy test. Jesus orders me to be merciful.

  • Am I?
  • Jesus wants to know.
  • Jesus is serious about this.

Every orthodox statement of faith ends with a statement about the return of Jesus the Messiah and the final judgment. Not all disciples agree as to the details of these future events, but the certainty of them none denies.

Nor would any deny the importance of a final judgment. Both Jesus and Paul assured us that believers will never be judged for their sins; but our works will be judged and rewarded.

There will be a test. I can rest assured on that for a fact.

  • Micah 6:8 — 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Master require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
  • Matthew 5:7 — 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
  • Luke 6:36 — 36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
  • Zechariah 7:9 — 9 “Thus has the Master of hosts said, “Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother.”
  • James 2:12–13 — 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
  • 1 Peter 3:9 — 9 Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
  • Jude 22 — 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting.

What will I do when I leave school? God’s Word can change my heart and give me the desire to do God’s will, so that I obey from inward compulsion and not outward constraint.

Our beliefs should control our behavior. If we really believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that God is gracious, His Word is true, and one day He will judge us, then our conduct will reveal our convictions. Before we attack those, who do not have orthodox doctrine, we must be sure that we practice the doctrines we defend. Jonah had wonderful theology, but he hated people and was angry with God.

One of the tests of the reality of our faith is how I treat other people. Can I pass the test?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ps 51:1–2). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

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