Mercy

I want us to revisit “the kindness and the severity of God” (Rom. 11:22a). We discussed this verse in our last teaching time. As J. I. Packer insightfully notes, the important word here is “and.” The Christians in Rome were not to focus only on God’s kindness or only on his severity—both are crucial for understanding who God is.

Jesus understands. He gets what it’s like to be misunderstood. He dealt with being mistreated. Jesus understands the pain of rejection, even having his closest friends abandon him in his time of need. Jesus experienced what it feels like to lose a loved one, a dad, a friend. Jesus understands physical pain. He knows what it means to cry…and cry out to God.

In the Old Testament, those who worshiped God participated in animal sacrifice. The believer took their sacrifice to the temple, put the animal to death, and placed its body on the altar to be consumed in the fire. Because of their sin, the worshiper should have been the one who died. But God, in his great mercy, allowed the animal to die in place of the believer. culminated

When an angel appears, you can bet that something amazing is going to happen! The amazing certainly took place when the angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would be having a son. For Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, that dream had died long ago. In fact, because of Zechariah’s unbelief, he was unable to speak a word until his son was born. Then, he broke out in a song of praise about the one who would prepare the way for Jesus.

Scoffers are great at scoffing. Dripping with sarcasm, they asked the believers, “When is this so-called ‘coming’ that Jesus promised?” Facing persecution, the believers were wondering the same thing. No doubt many were thinking, “Lord, if you are going to come back, this would really be a good time!” So, Peter gives an explanation and encouragement.

The life of the believer is a life of living hope. God’s great mercy saves, and through the death, burial, and resurrection of his Son, the road home has been paved. The heavenly inheritance that awaits us is “kept in heaven” for us. Unlike the shiny objects that distract us, it is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” 

So, it’s time to change course. God’s great mercy is just a step away from secret sin. When you admit your sin and walk away from it, you will find the relief of forgiveness. Instead of the stress of hiding your sin, restoration will come to your contrite soul. Instead of hiding in the darkness, you can walk openly in the freedom of obedience. It’s time to stop the secret games and make the journey home to God’s welcoming arms of mercy.  

No one is responsible for God’s existence. He has always been, and he will never cease to be. He will never leave nor forsake us.

God’s great mercy is granted to all who trust in him.