05 / 12 / 07
(NIV used)

MERCY:

(Strong’s definition from the word study) … To have compassion or mercy on a person in unhappy circumstances, to be pitied, obtain mercy, implying not merely a feeling for the misfortunes of others involving sympathy but also an active desire to remove those miseries.

(Webster’s dictionary) … Having or exercising mercy; compassionate; tender; disposed to pity offenders and to forgive their offenses; unwilling to punish for injuries.

Conclusion … mercy is NOT receiving what we deserve!

GRACE:

(Strong’s definition from the word study) … The absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

(Webster’s dictionary) … Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him

Conclusion … grace is receiving what we do NOT deserve!

GOD IS MERCIFUL (We are to be like Him):

“Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:13) There are times when we can say, “I did not know that I was sinning against you, Lord.” That is ignorance. When we unintentionally sin, God is unwilling to punish us for those injuries we inflict upon Him. By God’s mercy, He knows the pain and sorrow we feel over our sins and He is willing to do something about it that. Thus, By His grace He removes the sin by writing His Laws on our hearts so that we CAN obey. By obeying it, we are no longer doing that sin!.

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16) I am so thankful that He is patient and merciful to me. I know I need to show the same to others, as well. God says that He is long-suffering. When we sin … God SUFFERS, as well. That is why He is called long-suffering.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) Even though I am tormented by the sin around me (including my own sin), I must extend the same mercy to those who do not obey God, as He does to me as I continue to fail and sin unintentionally against Him.

“YHVH has heard my cry for mercy; YHVH accepts my prayer.” (Psalm 6:9) Throughout Scripture, God’s children cry out for mercy. They realize that they deserve punishment for their sins / iniquities, yet they cry for God’s mercy. “I said, “O YHVH, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” (Psalm 41:4)

Do you yet realize that you are sinning against God when you do not obey Him? Do you desire to obey Him and cry out for His mercy?

When we cry out for mercy, what are we really crying for? It is often during a trial or problem in our lives. circumstance we are in. My friends, we OFTEN DESERVE IT! Why do I say this? Because we have sinned against God and caused HIM pain and suffering. Yet, we are pleading for Him to have mercy and NOT give us what we deserve. When we find our forefathers crying out for mercy (heal me, help me, take me out of this circumstance), we find hearts that are humbled. They realize who God is and how they have sinned against Him. Yet, they plead, “God, have mercy on me … even though we gave you pain.”

GOD IS GRACIOUS:

“He mocks the proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34) Humility is essential to God. Those who are humble before Him and willing to submit to His authority (and rules) are given grace.

“Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprighteousness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of YHVH.” (Isaiah 26:10) Even though God allows the sun to shine on the wicked and gives to them what they do not deserve (His grace) they STILL do not learn to obey God (learn righteousness). This is sad.

“From the fullness of His grace we have ALL received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16)

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Yeshua (Jesus) Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by HIS GRACE though the redemption that came by Christ Yeshua (Jesus).” (Romans 3:22-24) We sinners do not deserve any of this!!

LAST THOUGHTS:

God’s mercy and grace are throughout Scripture! Listen to God’s unfailing mercy and grace to His children … Israel (Us):

“Out of the depths I cry to you, O YHVH; O YHVH, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O YHVH, kept a record of sins, O YHVH, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for YHVH, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my hope. My soul waits for YHVH more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in YHVH, for with YHVH is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.” (Psalm 130)

God’s mercy … for He keeps no record of sins.
God’s grace … for He redeems those He loves.

This is why we must “practice” obedience, because we believe. We dare not trample the blood of the covenant that is to be sanctifying us (showing us how to obey and to understand His standards / Laws). We should NOT want to insult the grace that He has freely given to us (since we do not deserve Him in the first place!).

“How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of Grace?” (Hebrews 10:29) (That was a question. How much more severely does man deserve to be punished who does not obey God’s Laws, since HE is helping us?)

Just something to think about the next time someone says, “We’re under grace”, yet do not do what He says to do.