Do You Really Appreciate The Fact That

the mercy of God is shown "from generation to generation to all who fear him" (Luke 1:50). From God's perspective mercy is a key element in his plan for humanity. Without his mercy we would be doomed. In God's eyes death is the penalty for sin. At birth we enter the world already spiritually dead and in time physical death will be the reality for every person. If it were not for God's mercy all of humanity would spend an eternity in the terrors of hell away from the presence of the Lord. However, for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ he extends mercy.

From the moment of Adam and Eve's fall into sin (Gen 3:6) God's mercy has been evident. It was initially displayed when God did not immediately put them to death for their disobedience. Several verses later the first veiled reference to the redemptive work of Christ is recorded: "I will cause hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel" (Gen 3:15). Satan would sense victory but Christ would strike the fatal blow to the head of the evil one.

God's mercy is seen throughout Scripture. The Israelites had been forced into slavery in the land of Egypt for many years. They were constantly mistreated by their task masters. One day, while Moses was working as a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian (Exodus 3:2) God appeared to him in a burning bush. The Lord indicated that he was aware of Israel's suffering "so I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians" (Exodus 3:7-8) and Moses, you are my chosen one for the job. In his perfect timing the Lord was about to extend mercy to his chosen people.

Jesus often showed mercy to those he came in contact with as he walked throughout the land of Palestine. For example a man approached Jesus asking for the extension of mercy towards his son who was troubled with seizures (Matthew 17:15). On another occasion 10 lepers cried out "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" (Luke 17:13). In both cases mercy was extended as healing was given.

God's extension of mercy in practical day to day issues is only of value in terms of time and space --- the here-and-now. His greatest mercy is extended in relation to the spiritual dimension of our existence. This is his willingness to extend salvation to those who believe upon the name of Jesus. The Apostle Peter brings this truth home in a powerful way when he states "It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead...and we have a priceless inheritance...that is kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Does the Lord extend his mercy to all people? The answer is no! God said to Moses "I will show mercy to anyone I choose and I will show compassion to anyone I choose" (Romans 9:14). Jesus makes it very clear that God's mercy is only extended to those who are elected when he stated "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me and at the last day I will raise them up" (John 6:44).

When humanity fell God was not under any obligation to extend mercy to any of his creation. Everyone deserved the punishment of external separation and damnation. The remarkable thing is that the Lord has seen fit to extend his mercy to even the few who have believed.

Copyright. Bruce January 2006

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.