Why such an effort on "Mercy"

Along with many other reasons which I mention throughout each "thought nugget" of the series, these are really the 3 main reasons why I have been taking a keen effort to write on the subject of Gods mercy:

1. It is a neglected subject that must requires attention.

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” Romans 11:22. The word “behold”, means to look attentively at something, it’s a call to observe or pay close attention (one definition says it means “to feast your eyes on”). In this instance God is calling us to focus our attention on 2 things: His goodness and His severity.

As it relates to the severity of God, one does not doubt that many are familiar with this. Many talk of His severity, and in some cases it is even the primary motive why some are Christians: because the fear the severity of God.

On the other hand though, God’s goodness, His mercy, is very often neglected if ever considered (paid attention to) at all. Now the verse is not talking about merely mentioning these ideas, or to merely have them as ideas in the back of our minds. Paul, under the ministration of God the Holy Spirit guiding His mind is instructing the reader to fix our attention on Gods goodness, AND His severity.

God’s goodness is His mercy. “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:” but why is God good? “…because his mercy endureth forever” Psalms 118:1. The reason God has been good towards fallen mankind is because He is merciful, eternally so. This idea is the summery of the whole of Psalms 136, the fact that the goodness of God is the expression of His eternal mercy.

When we say “God is good… all the time”, and “all the time His mercies endure forever” it is an expression of the same idea: that the reason He is always good is because He is always merciful, His goodness is an expression of His mercy.

This point must be restated, because God calls us to “behold therefore the goodness and the severity of God”, to give focus and pay careful attention to both in their right proportions. One believes that there has been a widespread imbalance in how men view God, and this results in an unbalanced Christian experience. Either God’s mercy is not considered (given careful attention) at all, or that it is not given enough attention: that is to say it is merely mentioned and glanced over, but not really considered.

Now before moving to the next point, it must also be stated that it is possible to do the very same thing in the opposite direction: to push so hard in the direction of “mercy and goodness” that one entirely does not consider His “severity.”

It is the aim of this series to consider the subject of mercy as a characteristic of God which is widely overlooked.

2. It is a vital point of contention in the great controversy:

“In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner.” Desire of Ages p.761.4 (Emphasis added)

Along with satan's continued claims that it is not possible to keep God's law, satan also throws the accusation against God that He cannot claim to be as merciful as He says He is. Now there are some, for whom I thank God, who have made it their lifework to exalt the law of God to its rightful position as holy and just and demanding of man’s exact obedience. On the other end of the scales though, the other claim which satan brings against God, has to do with the subject of mercy.

The feature of Gods mercy then, is just as vitally a part of the great controversy as the very commandments themselves. As such, it demands our focus and consideration.

As a result a result of neglecting this aspect of God’s character, one has seen (and also been guilty of) exalting the righteousness/justice of God, without His mercy. Without this mercy of God brought forth, the idea of obedience to the law is also thus affected (something we shall see as we continue with the series). Just as much as the righteousness of Christ as expressed in His law must be carried to the world, the mercy of God must be carried along with it (because God’s mercy, as a part of His character, cannot be separated from His righteousness).

3. It is God's desire to have His mercy revealed through His people

As somewhat of a response to the condition described in the previous point, God would answer the claims of satan through none other than His people. God wants to reveal through mankind that His law can be kep, and with that He wants it to be made manifest through their lives that He is a merciful God.

“The children of God are called to be representatives of Christ, showing forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed to us the true character of the Father, so we are to reveal Christ to a world that does not know His tender, pitying love. "As Thou hast sent Me into the world," said Jesus, "even so have I also sent them into the world." "I in them, and Thou in Me; . . . that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me." John 17: 18, 23.” Steps to Christ, p.115

Point no.2 & 3 can be shown Biblically, the 2 passages quoted just summarise the ideas well.

For these reasons, Gods mercy deserves more than just a casual brush over. Throughout this series, in studying out this wonderful subject of God’s mercy, I have personally felt like I was learning a side of God which I had altogether been unfamiliar with. It is easy to think that we know something merely because we can mention it every now and again, but God calls us to “behold”, to give careful attention to, this side of who He is.

Repentance & Mercy – Part 2

Before moving on to the next step of the series of steps in the experience of conversion, I was really impressed to go back to consider 2 fundamental points of what repentance is. That is that:

1.       Repentance involves a true and heartfelt sorrow for sin

2.       Repentance is not just a sorrow for sin, but a turning from it in heart. To seek to divorce ones sins so to say.

Let’s see these 2 points from scripture, and possibly find where this idea relates to the idea of God’s merciful character.

Heartfelt sorrow for sin

In speaking to the church at Corinth, Paul refers to “godly sorrow” that “produces repentance (as in a turning away) leading to salvation, not to be regretted...” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV). With genuine and lasting repentance, there comes a sorrow which is after a godly sort. As one writer puts it, “We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.” ¹

It is this kind of repentance that leads to a change in the life. Of the very same Corinthians, Paul speaks of the change that was produced by their godly sorrowing of repentance, saying “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Verse. 11. The sorrow over their wrong worked a repentance which was manifest in the change that took place.

In the experience of David, after his moral fall of committing adultery and a number of successive sins after that, God revealed his sins to him and thus placed true repentance in his heart. After his repentance and confession he was able to state that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17. In another place, David writes, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:17.

Thus we find that in the experience of conversion, there comes a genuine sorrow for the very sins one seeks to be freed from. Not a sorrow merely for the consequences that come with the sins, but a sorrow over the very acts of disobedience themselves which seeks to have those sins removed.

Thus, repentance includes: Turning away from sin

As it relates to this second point, we may understand the word repent to mean the same as turning. Thus in many instances in the Old Testament, when God urges His people to repent, he calls them to turn from their sins and to turn to Himself as their redeemer. .

Notice Ezekiel 14:6:

“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God; Repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”

 God calls the Israelites to repent, and to turn from all their idols. From this we may find that true repentance includes a turning from sin. God’s call for these men to repent from their idolatry was a call for them to turn from their sins.

Now notice where these idols were. Just 3 verses earlier God tells Ezekiel: “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their heart…” Ezekiel 14:3

God does not call for a mere outward change of the externals, but the work which Christ wants to accomplish is that which reaches the every heart. Thus, with the case of the men of Israel, God calls men to repent from their sins, which lie rooted in the heart too; whether it be the idol of pride, envy, evil thinking and resentment, or any other idols which may be found in the heart.

At this point, let us consider as we have noted before: it is the mercy of God as contained in His goodness “that leadeth [us] to repentance” (Romans 5:2). Thus our heart, which are naturally at enmity with God, may receive a true sorrow for sin when we realise our transgressions. This kind of repentance comes from Christ  Himself (Acts 5:31), thus, one need not wait until he feels like he is sorry before coming to Christ, or turning from his idols; but we can and must remember that true repentance (heartfelt sorrow and turning from sin) is a gift from God. This gift is as freely given as the very forgiveness of the sin itself (Acts 5:31).

When convicted of our wrongs, by the sweet Holy Spirit, like the psalmist, we too can pray can cry out for true repentance and pray: “Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved” Psalms 80:3

The above 2 ideas may be considered by looking at the 2 Hebrew words which are translated as “repent”:

The first, nacham (pronounced “naw-kham”), means “to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret.” This is sometimes used in reference to God, speaking of the sorrow He continually feels as a result of the sins of man.

The other word is the word shuwb (pronounced “shoob”), which means “to turn back, or to return.” To have a 180^O change in direction so to say.

Both of these words are commonly used when God calls His people to repent: He calls for true sorrow and turning in heart from transgression of His law.

Now tying these 2 ideas together with mercy.

In warning His people of the impending wrath that is to come upon the earth on all that do wickedly, God says these words to His very own people:

“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning (or sorrow): And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God…” Joel 2:12-13a

The passage really summarise all that we have mentioned thus far as involved in repentance (sorrow for sin, a turning away from it and a whole hearted turning to God), but Joel continues to give us the highest motivation for such an act of repentance, he continues with the words: “…For (or because) He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.” Verse 13b.

What a lovely idea to consider: God is calling man to repent of the evil that they commit; and the motive He gives us is indeed because of the results that will come on account of the disobedience, but more that, God calls men to repent because He is a merciful God. His mercy must lead us to repentance. Seeing exactly what it is that our sins really deserve, and the fact that God has not given us what we deserve (as in, He has been merciful towards us), must motivate man to seek out how he may be turned from those sins which bring grief to such a good God.

Thus we find that as it relates to repentance, this essential step in the experience of being converted in heart and life, mercy is a very crucial element. It is God’s mercy, together with grace, that must motivate man to repent.

1.       White, E. Steps to Christ. p.23

02_Mercy and the steps of Conversion: Repentance

The gospel, the everlasting gospel by which we may be saved from sin, is a message of faith and repentance.

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mark 1:14-15

In Acts chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a very powerful sermon. In Jerusalem were gathered a large majority of all the Jews for the ceremony of Pentecost and these made up his audience. We learn, through Peter’s sermon that these are the same Jews which crucified Jesus (verse 36), just a month and a half before when they had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. In his sermon, Peter makes a compelling argument to the hearers in showing how the man whom they had crucified was none other than the very Messiah for whom they had been longing and waiting for. They killed the One who had come to save them.

And so we read: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:38

They were brought to the realisation that they we “foolish, disobedient…hateful” (Titus 3:4), that Jesus, who could have (rightly) chosen to destroy His murderers, still chose to die for their very sakes. They were brought to the realisation of the love and mercy of God in not giving them what they deserve and as a result they were pricked in the heart, they were “drawn” to the Christ whom they despised just a few weeks back.

In response to their question, Peter’s response is a response for all: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. What Peter made clear to the Jews, was that repentance was necessary for salvation and for the remission (that is the putting away) of sin.

Repentance precedes remission of sin, but doesn’t necessarily precede “coming”.

With that being said, this brings us to a very important point to consider: that true repentance comes from God. In another occasion, standing before the Sanhedrin, Peter says these words: “Him (Jesus) hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” Acts 5:31.

Repentance includes a sorrow for sin and turning away from it, and it is required in order that one may receive pardon; but there is nothing in man that is capable of leading Him to repentance. Jesus is the one who was exalted for to give repentance to sinners. We could not even repent except it were by, and only through Christ. Repentance, just as much as the forgiveness of sin, is the gift of God.  Thus, even before the sinner has repented, he may respond to the drawing of God and the call of Christ to come to Him just as he is, sinful, erring and weak. The sinner must not wait to feel that he has repented, before he can thus come to Christ; he may respond to the drawing of God who gives repentance and forgiveness of sins, having been led to realise his need.

 I love how one writer puts in, stating “Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts." (1) 

And how does God lead one to repent? It is through none else than His mercy.

Paul states in Romans that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” (chapter 2:5b), and in the goodness of God is where we find His mercy.

We may recall when God said to Moses that He would “make all [His] goodness pass before [Moses], and will proclaim the name of the LORD” (Exo. 33:19); in fulfilment of this promise, when God did make His goodness pass before Moses, “The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious… keeping mercy for thousands.” (Ex 34:6-7). When God made His goodness pass before Moses, in His declaration was contained His mercy.

Thus we find the relation between repentance and mercy. In contemplation of the mercy of God, men are lead to be sorrowful for, and turn from, their iniquities. It is for this reason that satan is ever trying to obstruct man’s view of God’s mercy, but every impulse in the desire for God is an evidence of God’s drawing on the heart in order to lead men to repentance.

Were it not for the fact the God is merciful, we would not be lead to repentance. Thus, even at this most crucial step of heartfelt sorrow for - and turning from – sin, mercy is a very essential element.

 

1.    White, E. Steps to Christ