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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
This message completes our brief study of the subject of mercy. We will use it to summarize some of our findings as well as to present a final challenge regarding mercy.
The Bible teaches that God is the Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1.3-4). This means that He is the origination point from which all mercy has derived. He is not only the point of origin, He is also the Champion of mercy in its various forms and in innumerable instances. Hence, to speak of God as the Father of mercies is but to affirm His constant character of ultimate goodness especially when it come to how He treats us!
God’s mercies include His favor toward man as manifested in physical blessings, but the greatest evidence of God’s merciful spirit is seen in His offer of forgiveness from sins. His offer of mercy in this manner was clearly manifested in the establishment of the Mercy Seat as a tangible piece of furniture present in the tabernacle and the Temple.
Even in the wilderness, mercy was not available on man’s terms! Mercy, by definition, is a gift from the person or entity in a position to forbear punishment in regards to another’s trespasses. With that in view, mercy is not a right to be demanded, but rather a favor to be humbly sought.
The spirit of mercy was one of our Lord’s Pentecost Pointers as noted in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus announced Divine constraints concerning judgment when He said, “Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5.7). It can truly be said, “Only the merciful shall obtain mercy.”
The first covenant had the Mercy Seat which was but a figure of the mercy that would be literally and eternally available through the work of Jesus Christ and His propitious death upon the cross. The first covenant was limited in scope in that its privileges were extended only to the Hebrew nation, but the second covenant (the New Testament) was manifested to all of humanity, Jew and Gentile alike. Mercy is perennially and eternally available by the “once and for all” sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Mercy is not unconditional. God is forever merciful, but there are conditions by which mercy is obtained. Like grace, mercy cannot be demanded nor should the principle of mercy be abused. It is a blessing bestowed and not an entitlement to be demanded!
Finally, we come to a practical point made by one of the inspired writers. “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2.13). Mercy here is personified; it is given human characteristics. In this verse mercy triumphs (glories or boasts) over judgment. A quote from the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary is appropriate here. “Mercy, so far from fearing judgment in the case of its followers, actually glorifieth against it, knowing that it cannot condemn them. Not that their mercy is the ground of their acquittal, but the mercy of God in Christ towards them, producing mercy on their part towards their fellow men, makes them to triumph over judgment, which all in themselves otherwise deserve.”
Mercy boasts, not in itself, but in God, the source of all mercy! Blessed are the merciful!
Questions:
1. How can mercy triumph over judgment?
2. Apart from mercy, what judgment does all of humanity deserve?
3. We might boast legitimately, but never in ourselves? What is the basis of all legitimate boasting/glorying?
4. What right do I have to mercy (THINK)? If I have any right to mercy, from whom did that right come? Therefore, who/what is the ultimate source of all mercy?
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