Interesting question
isn't it? Is mercy without limits? As I was pondering that question I wondered,
what exactly is mercy? Is salvation mercy? I don't think so. Let me try to explain the difference as I see
it off the top of my head. Then we will
look at a definition of mercy.
Salvation is the
final fulfillment of the law so I would say it isn't mercy although I could
just as easily argue that it is. What I
mean by "salvation is the fulfillment of the law" is that the reason
that Jesus had to die on the cross was that blood had to be shed for the
forgiveness of sins as required by the law.
So theoretically in
the old days you could have confessed your sins, offered up the blood offering
to have your sins forgiven, died right away before you could sin again, and you
would be good to go. Theoretically. :)
Mercy on the other
hand to me is God just flat out saying "I'm going to cut you a break and
overlook that one." Make
sense? So now let's look at a dictionary
definition.
mercy
- n.noun
- Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.
- A disposition to be kind and
forgiving.
a heart full of mercy. - Something for which to be
thankful; a blessing.
It was a mercy that no one was hurt. - Alleviation of distress;
relief.
Taking in the refugees was an act of mercy.
OK, that was
helpful. Now what does the Bible define
mercy as? I did a search and found that
the word mercy is used 269 times in the Bible.
Unfortunately I'll have to save that question for another time. Therefore I need to do some more study to
find out exactly what the Bible means by mercy.
However back to the
original question. Is mercy without
limits?
Isaiah 9:13-17(NKJV)
13 For the people do
not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek
the Lord of hosts.
14 Therefore
the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel,
Palm branch and bulrush in one day.
15 The elder and
honorable, he is the head;
The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.
16 For the leaders
of this people cause them to err,
And those who are
led by them are destroyed.
17 Therefore the Lord will have no
joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their
fatherless and widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer,
And every mouth speaks folly.
For all this His anger is not turned away, But His
hand is stretched out still.
In this verse the
Bible specifically tells us that in this situation here are a couple of groups
(the fatherless and the widows) that God has singled out and said that He will
not have mercy on. From that I think it
is safe to conclude that there are limits to mercy.
Of course one of the
benefits of accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior as many of us have done is
that you don't have to depend on God's mercy, you get God's promise instead.
Which would you
rather gamble eternal life on, mercy or a promise? I'll take God's promise any day. How do you get God's promise?
Simple! Ask Jesus to come into your life and lead
you. Have a conversation with
Jesus. "Dear Jesus…."
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