Overview: The mercy of God is one of the most important doctrines in the entire Bible. God created man to have fellowship with Him in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Since the fall of man the world has been on a downward spiral as we move closer to the Second Coming of Christ. In the early Church they believed that Jesus could come back at anytime. We are instructed to watch, wait and be ready for His glorious return. So, if the early Church believed he could come at any time why are we still waiting almost 2,000 years later. It is because of the mercy of God. As Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3: The Lord is not slack concerning His promises toward us, but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God is waiting patiently, for a defiant world that has largely rejected His Son because He is waiting for perhaps you, to come to the cross of Jesus Christ.
When we show mercy toward someone in our life we best represent the nature and character of God. Reach out today and extend the mercy of God to someone that doesn’t deserve it, in your opinion. Then you will be reminded that once you were extended mercy by someone who probably felt you didn’t deserve it. God is good and God’s mercy endures forever.
God’s Mercy is God’s greatest gift to us and to mankind. God is like a father who has a son who has tremendous potential but who also keeps misbehaving. The father patiently waits, corrects and instructs his child because he loves him and never gives up on the child, no matter what happens. God is like this and probably 1,000 times more patient with us because of His mercy. Meditate on the mercy of God and let it sink into your sub-conscious mind to change your heart and your life.
Showing Mercy: The Nature of God
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
Titus 3:4 Not by works of righteousness which we have done by according to His mercy He saved us.
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.
The Overwhelming “Five Mercies” of God:
Mercy 1: God’s mercy to Israel. Mercy 2: God’s mercy to us. Mercy 3: Our mercy to Israel. Mercy 4: God’s mercy to the world. Yes, and Mercy 5 is that we have been chosen by God to share this story and to show mercy to all we meet in our life. Just as Jesus did by His life and His sacrifice for us.
Five Mercies of God
Romans 11:28-32 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Romans 9:21-23 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
1 Timothy 1:15-17 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 3:19-21 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
God Delights in Mercy: The Nature of God
Psalm 103:8-12 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep Hi anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
God’s Greatest Act of Love and Mercy: The Sacrifice of His Son
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
God clearly loves you and I and as His Word shows He has extended His great mercy toward us.
Extend that same mercy of God to someone today and watch God soften someone’s heart toward Him.