Mercy: Biblical Definition
Both the Old and New Testament reveal examples of God`s Mercy. From Genesis to Revelation, God evidently shows His Mercy when He acts on behalf of those who are in trouble. Mercy is when God, out of His lovingkindness, withholds punishment that we rightfully deserve because of our sin. Lexham Theological Wordbook defines Mercy as, “Taking pity on someone or sparing them from something.” God`s Mercy and compassion cannot be earned by human beings; it is part of God`s nature to be merciful.
God Gives Us The Perfect Example of Mercy
In Genesis, God shows His Mercy to Adam and Eve by providing a covering for them after they had sinned against Him (Genesis 3). In Exodus, God passes in front of Moses and proclaims His Mercy.
“ The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Throughout Scripture, God reveals His merciful character:
-God is “the Father of mercies” (2 Cor. 1:3)
-God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4)
-God`s mercy is great (Daniel 9:9; 2 Samuel 24:14)
-God is merciful upon those who are underserving of it (Romans 9:15-16)
God showed us His great Mercy when He gave His only son to die for a world of people who are in trouble. God knew that because of our sin, we are separated from Him and He took pity on us. He sacrificed His only Son so that we could have a relationship with Him. God placed the punishment we rightly deserved on Jesus (1 Peter 2:24)! We need only to trust in Christ and His finished work on the Cross to be saved. Christ died and rose again so that we could be free from Sin and free to have a relationship with the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” My sin debt is paid in full by Christ alone and I`m fully relying on Him for my salvation. Because of Christ, I have eternal life. God be praised!
How Should Believers Show Mercy?
How should we as believers show mercy to those around us? Scripture tells us that we were enemies of God, yet He chose to have compassion upon us. We can show compassion to others by telling others about Christ and showing concern for them in their suffering. We should make it our aim to be Christ-centered rather than being self-centered. Believers should show others that they care by listening to them and sharing truth with them. Other practical ways to show care can be by meeting needs in the form of assisting someone with health issues, financial issues, or speaking kindly to someone who needs to be comforted during a critical time in their life. If we are to be imitators of Christ, then we should strive to excel in being merciful.
“Be merciful even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36).”
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8.”
Learn More About God`s Unfailing Compassion
Here at Ethnos360 Bible Institute, we seek to love God, His Word, and others by sharing the Gospel with them. In the Great Commission, Christ tells His followers to go and make disciples of “all nations.” As believers, we have a deep desire for others to know of God`s mercy and His grace. At EBI, you will go through two years of chronological Bible teaching which will give you many examples of God`s unfailing love and compassion towards those who are unworthy to receive it. To learn more about the Bible School, request a free information packet today!
