Mercy

by Micky Galloway

James 2:13, “For judgment (is) without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.”

One day a mother came into the presence of the 18th century French military and political leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, and pleaded for the pardon of her son, who was soon to be executed. Napoleon was indeed moved by the mother’s heartfelt petition; yet he explained that this was her son’s second offense; therefore, justice demanded death. The mother said to Napoleon, “I do not ask for justice. I plead for mercy.” “But,” Napoleon replied, “he does not deserve mercy.” And the mother said, “Sir, it would not be mercy if he deserved it and mercy is all I ask for.” The compassion and clarity of the mother’s logic prompted Napoleon to respond, “Well then, I will have mercy.”

Grace and mercy are combined nine times in the New Testament. Obviously, they are closely related, however, they are distinct terms. Richard Trench points out that grace is related to sin while mercy is related to the misery that sin brings. “The charis (grace) of God, the gift of his free grace that is displayed in the forgiveness of sins, is extended to men as they are guilty, his eleos (mercy) as they are miserable” (Richard Chenevix Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament, page 183). Therefore, God’s grace removes our guilt, while His mercy removes our misery. Paul praised … “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (II Corinthians 1:3). God helps the helpless; He succors the afflicted; He lifts up the distressed and discouraged. He offers solace and pardon to sinners who are miserable, wretched, and guilty. As Paul considered his own sinfulness he said, “Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 7:24-25). He later explained, “I thank him that enabled me, (even) Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to (his) service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (I Timothy 1:12-13).

What is mercy? Mercy is defined by Thayer as “kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.” W.E. Vine adds that mercy “is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.”

Mercy is associated with God’s forgiveness. “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:18-19 KJV). Oh, how we need mercy! Paul says that God is “rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses” (Ephesians 2:4-5). David pleaded with God, “Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears” (Psalms 6:4-6 KJV). In his misery, David pleaded with God, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalms 51:1-2). However, David acknowledged that God’s forgiveness is conditional. “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalms 86:5 NKJV). The prophet Isaiah made it clear, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

Indeed, mercy finds its ultimate expression through Christ Jesus. “For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works (done) in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7). What a powerful passage! At a time when I was doing bad things, God took pity on me and provided a way out through His Son! Paul explained the prophecy of David. “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David” (Acts 13:34 KJV). He further explained what that was. “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38 KJV).

The demands of mercy. Though God’s mercy abounds, not everyone will be saved. Peter said, “Blessed (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). Mercy glories (or boasts against, or rejoices – W.E. Vine) over judgment only because our sins are forgiven through the redemption that is in Christ. It is only in this sense that the Hebrew writer quotes Jeremiah, “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Mercy is now offered to the obedient; to those who are in Christ! Do not wait until the judgment to plead for mercy! The wisdom writer said, “He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Of course, Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Receiving mercy demands extending mercy (cf. Matthew 18:33). (That introduces another subject …)

Let us have the heart of submissive obedience like the publican of Luke 18:13-14, “But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner...”

To experience God’s mercy, keep His word; confess and forsake sin (Psalms 51:1); call on Him (Psalms 86:5); fear Him (Psalms 103:17). Finally, we must walk according to God’s rule (Galatians 6:16).