GRACE BLOGS COLLECTION
As believers, our theology (study and view of God) and our doctrines (principles) must be consistent with our heartfelt beliefs.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant PEACE (Shalom) whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. —Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)
Our lives are dependent on what we believe because we can’t go where our hearts won’t lead us! The heart is the driving force of life.
Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. — Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)
The inconsistencies between what we believe in our hearts and what we see around us many times paralyze us in our walk with God.
The Mercy of God
Our beliefs about God may be deeply influenced by legalism and the concept of an angry, judgmental God. So many misunderstand the wonderful truth of the mercy of God. What we believe about God’s mercy will either assist or sabotage our faith.
Being Treated Better than We Deserve
Jesus told the Pharisees to learn what it means for God to desire mercy and not sacrifice.
Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. —Matthew 9:13 (AMP)
If the Gospel says anything today, it’s that people are way more important to God than any religious regulations!
What Does Mercy Mean?
People have many different definitions for the mercy of God. The Old Testament concept of mercy comes from the Hebrew word kapporet, describing the mercy seat of God where the high priest sprinkled the blood of the sin offering.
Treating People Better than They Deserve
A simplified view of the mercy seat is: It was the place where God treated people better than they deserved.
Every time we hear or see the word mercy, referring to God, His willingness, ability, and passion to give us better than we deserve should enter our minds.
Our lives are dependent on what we believe because we can’t go where our hearts won’t lead us! The heart is the driving force of life.
Everlasting Mercy
The mercy of God is an everlasting mercy!
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting …. —Psalms 103:17
The mercy of God endures forever.
To endure is the ability to withstand prolonged use or strain. So the mercy of God is eternal and endures prolonged use and strain!
Unfortunately, many Christians can’t just relax and enjoy life because they’re afraid of God’s wrath. They live life on the edge, toeing the line with no room for error.
Yet, Paul tells us not to fear the wrath of God.
…The proof of God’s amazing love is this: … while we were sinners Christ died for us. … what reason have we to fear the wrath of God? … We may hold our heads high in the light of God’s love because of the reconciliation which Christ has made. —Romans 5:7-11 (Phillips)
God’s mercy sets us free to live without fear. It liberates us to tackle life head-on and expect only good things.
Mercy Over All His Works
God’s mercy is over all His works!
The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. —Psalms 145:9 (AMP)
Now, if we connect that with Ephesians 2:10, it gives us a beautiful picture of His mercy in our lives.
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus…. — Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)
Every thought that God has of us and every decision He makes about us is always bathed in His mercy, goodness, and loving kindness.
Fully Persuaded
When we become absolutely confident in the love and mercy of God is when we will start to live victoriously, peacefully, and productively.
Blessings,
Arthur Meintjes
I have seen the weaponization of the Bible more times that I can count. I hate to admit that I’ve been guilty of this myself. Christians tend to find a verse that backs up their belief system and then they use that verse against people who disagree with them. That is not what the Bible was intended for.
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