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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” (2 Corinthians 1.3-6).

Why is it the case that God desires mercy (righteous attitude of heart) and not sacrifice (outward forms of obedience/worship)? That’s quite simple; it is God’s nature to want to forgive and to save! He is, according to the focus text quoted (above), the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. As one who has publicly spoken of the gospel for a number of years, it occurs to me that I have frequently spoken of a God who wants to save. However, at the same time I preached a God who wants to save, I also preached a God who was not known for mercy and comfort! This is the dilemma of those who preach a message that requires strict obedience to law in the context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

While it is something that a few may not like to discuss, a Christian commits sin while “…walking in the light.” I offer 1 John 1.7 as the “proof text” of this statement. I quote: “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” The continuous cleansing of sins which is anticipated by this verse occurs while we continue to walk in the light. Walking in the light is not living sinlessly; such would not be a system of grace or mercy! Walking in the light involves the continual cleansing of sins. Perhaps these are sins of ignorance or misunderstanding or transgressions of a similar nature, but it simply is undeniable that such sins occur and are routinely forgiven under the Gospel System.

The Law of the Old Testament (Mosaic Covenant) was a Legal System in which “…every transgression and disobedience received a just reward.” (Hebrews 2.2). The salvation that we experience under the Gospel System is not like the Old; it is better! Every disobedience DOES NOT result in punishment! The Father of mercies is the administrator of the New System while the Old System depended upon the frailties of man to act as judge based on outward appearances. God is not so hampered nor can He be fooled by the ruse of outward appearances. Again, this speaks to the fact that He desires mercy and not sacrifice.

With this installment, the series Mercy and not Sacrifice will formally come to a close. However, it is my plan to continue somewhat along this same line by expanding upon one of the expressions in today’s focus text, namely the expression, The Father of Mercies. In bringing this series to a close, the following important points by way of summary are offered.

1) If we do not understand that God desires mercy and not sacrifice, we are challenged to go and find out what it means (see Matthew 9.13). 2) This concept did not originate with the New Testament; it has always been God’s wish (see Hosea 6.6). 3) Any system of religion that emphasizes sacrifice (outward obedience) over mercy (attitude of heart) is not of God. 4) Justification cannot occur through mere outward obedience to a set of laws or commands. 5) We sin even when we walk in the light and continue to need forgiveness even as we do our best to follow what is right.

Questions:

1. Who is the Father of Mercies? Why might He be called that?

2. In what ways is the New Covenant better than the Old Covenant?

3. What is implied when we emphasize outward obedience more than inward attitude of heart?

4. If we sin as we “walk in the light,” what does that say for the belief that justification is only possible through obedience?

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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