Perfect in Mercy

Who appreciates a gift the most? Obviously those who need it best! That is just common logic, pure mathematics! Give a king a loaf of bread and see how thankful he is; but give a beggar the same loaf and watch the glee light up his face. Cure a sick man of a terminal illness and see his gratitude light up the room. Offer a man a tablet to guarantee no more hair loss and it will mean nothing to him if He has a full mop of hair on his head, bid it to a balding man and watch him make sacrifice after sacrifice to win that bid and keep his hair.  Free a cruel man of his sinful nature and watch him love like no other. These are just some of the reasons why the Lord Jesus teaches us this truth; “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47) – Therefore my conclusion; for us to be effective in God’s Kingdom we must understand our sinful natures and be repulsed by them if we have any chance of effectively laying down our lives for others. I am convinced that we could almost measure the gravity of this on a scale. Understand the extent of your forgiveness and watch the love ooze out toward others. Consider yourself morally above average and it may be hard to find love in your heart for those in need.

Can angels understand mercy? They obviously have a conception of mercy but certainly never understand mercy as we do. How could they? They are in God’s presence day and night and continually see Him as He is; Jehovah God the great I AM! Angels in heaven have never known sin and failed in this area of their lives as we have, without the perfect intervention of our great God extending His mercy to us, time and time again. This must be hard for them to comprehend. What of the fallen angels? They understand sin as they chose to follow Satan over God and for that were cast out of heaven waiting for their destiny to arrive, the Lake of Fire. They do not understand mercy but are vexed by it as they see God’s mercy in our lives and yet it eludes theirs, no wonder the angels of darkness hate us so and look at every opportunity to trip us up. Be sober, be vigilant, we have an enemy and he is the roguish enemy of God, however he has already been defeated, praise the glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and because of it he is twisted with bitterness. By the grace of God let’s not be lured by his flattering lips that are only ever full of lies, for he is the father of lies. We Christians are forever grateful for the mercy that covers our lives, even flippant with it at times, God forgive us, which He does; praise His name now and forever more, Amen and Amen!

How could an angel ever understand forgiveness as they have never experienced such mercy? We have called out in desperation at times and God has come to our aid. Having understood our sinful natures it has constrained us to cry Abba Father! Obedient Angels speak about the holiness and justice of God; they sing the righteous judgements of the Lord; “And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!"” (Revelation 16:7) – They understand who God is; they understand that He is true and just but mercy they have not known as we have because they have not known sin. We alone have been tainted by sin and therefore understand the forgiveness of God. Now those who have not responded positively to the gospel can neither understand the mercy of God because they do not recognize their sin for what it is. We must understand our sickness in order to seek out a remedy to heal our condition. Only a sick man seeks out the aid of a doctor; “And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."” (Luke 5:31-32)

Angels have no need of repentance, in fact that is not on offer. The mercies of God have melted my heart, how I now long to react with obedience with more proficiency and yet I have so far to travel, but God who is rich in mercy patiently continues to work with a wretched sinner like me. It boggles my mind! Needless to say I will forever be grateful because He is merciful! It is our sin that drives us to seek out His forgiveness, WOW!

When we are in trouble we need certain attributes more than others, this is our constitution. When we are hard pressed we need comfort, when we suffer lack we need supply and so on. It is the mercies of God that come to our rescue! It is God’s mercy that confronts our need at any given time. His justice demands judgement for our wickedness but it is His mercy that has now made a way for us to escape that wrath. His mercy compelled Him to make a way of escape for sinners like you and I. Because He is perfect in mercy, it has driven Him to be merciful, this is such a massive thought and yet wonderfully refreshing.

We were lost and without hope, already condemned because of one man’s sin; Adam introduced us to death but God’s mercy has thrown out a lifeline to all. While we were the enemies of God, He sent His Son, who knew no sin to pay for our sin. Why? Because He is perfect in mercy! This is the God who has ransomed me, I am forever grateful for who He is. How far does that mercy extend? Who could ever measure it for it has no end! But the Apostle Peter has this to say; “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (Peter 3:9) - Having understood that God is Sovereign and perfect in all His attributes how does my mind reconcile some people being saved whilst other will end up in hell? I will not suggest understanding where mercy and justice meet, but what I am convinced about is that somewhere in God’s perfection they unite. It cannot be any other way for if it was that would make God imperfect but we know that He is perfect and nothing can ever be added to perfection for if it could be that would prove one thing, imperfection.

Our God is perfect in every way; praise His name now and forever more!

What have you done with God’s mercy?

Signing off

Tyrone