MERCY AND LOVE
As men approach death, the thoughts of the mercy of God fill the mind. Some have chosen all their life to live as if there is no God. Such living renders one’s conscience to be a hardened thing. The Scriptures show that an individual who rejects the idea of God chooses a foolish path (Psalm 14:1). The physical world assures any reasonable person of the existence of Someone beyond man (Psalm 19:3). As a result of such evidence man is without excuse and will have to face God with the reality of what he has done with his life (Romans 1:20; 14:12).
What, then, do people do who live their lives each day without regard to the teachings of the Lord? In one way, they live as though death will never come to them. There is no need to make responsible decisions about God or living for God. However, when things arise which remind them of their mortality, on occasions they will make a “small decision”. Perhaps it is in the form of starting to attend some of the services. When pressed about their conduct they will fall back on the mercy of God. They think they will have enough time to utter those words from the parable of the Lord, “…God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13).
Since mercy is treated as an easy way out for not living for God, we need to look closely at what the Scriptures show us. Let us also clear up this point. It is not the mercy of God but rather the calling out by the sinner for mercy.
Paul explained to the brethren at Ephesus that they had come to spiritual life. They had been dead in trespasses and sins but now had been quickened (Ephesians 2:1). They were when in trespasses and sins, children of disobedience (verse 2). They were refusing to live their lives the way God directed them to live. They were busy with the lusts of their flesh and their minds. This kind of living is so far removed from God that one could not expect to receive the mercy of God. Paul tells them, that is the way they used to live, but not any more.
Paul told the brethren at Colosse that the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience (Colossians 3:6). What were they like before coming to Christ? Paul states they were living in them, that is the sins of the flesh (verse 7). Would not logical minds then reach the conclusion that one cannot live contrary to God and still be blessed by God? Those, then, who live in rebellion to God need not think that calling for the mercy of God will change their eternal destiny.
Let us come back now to the Ephesian letter. God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4). This mercy is connected to the love of God. It is the great love wherewith He loved us. Jesus used the words “…so loved” in telling us how that God showed that love (John 3:16). He showed it by giving His Son’s life on the cross. Jesus could not have died for us unless He willingly obeyed the will of the Father. He then enjoins upon us the idea of obedience. We are not to live in sin. We give up rebellion to God and accept His will over our lives.
Loving God means that one obeys God (John 14:15). The promises of God are sure. We know that we are made partakers of the divine nature by the exceeding great and precious promises that God has made (II Peter 1:4). Our salvation rests in the fact that God will do what He promised to do. When we live in righteous conduct, we “know” that we will be saved. Hope therefore becomes the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:18). We are saved by hope (Romans 8:24). By the same token we expect to receive the mercy of God. It is because we KNOW what God promised. We live our lives for God and at the end of the way, we do not call out for mercy but rather in joy receive that which God promised, His divine mercy wherewith He loved us.