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.